Laparoscopic Mitrofanoff procedure using single 'U-Stitch' anastomosis: a way to make it simple.

OBJECTIVE: to describe and incorporate a modification of the fully laparoscopic Mitrofanoff (LM) procedure with the aim of diminishing operative time and technical difficulties, and to reproduce functional results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of six patients with voiding dysfunction with indication for clean intermittent catheterization who did not require bladder augmentation and who underwent a fully LM procedure between January and November 2011. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 183.3 min with a mean hospital stay of 6.15 days. No complications were recorded during the surgical procedure. Postoperative hematuria is the most frequent complication associated with this technique. One patient presented appendicovesical anastomotic leak that resolved spontaneously after 8 days with abdominal drainage. There were no other postoperative complications on an average 6.8-month follow up. CONCLUSION: We believe fully LM is a feasible and reproducible approach. The U-Stitch appendix implantation technique reduces total operative time and makes the procedure technically easier.