Minimally invasive ileal ureter replacement: Comparative analysis of robot-assisted laparoscopic versus conventional laparoscopic surgery.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study is an initial comparative analysis of perioperative and intermediate-term functional outcomes between patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic (RALS) or conventional laparoscopic surgery (LS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 patients who underwent ileal ureter replacement (10 RALS and 15 LS) were followed by functional cine magnetic resonance urography (MRU) combined with a modified Whitaker test. Also, the characteristics, perioperative data and functional outcomes of the patients were compared. RESULTS: The estimated blood loss, postoperative hospital stay and time to oral intake were significantly lower in the RALS group. At the median 14-month follow-up, all the patients showed improved renal function and were symptom-free, with no signs of leakage or stenosis observed by cine MRU combined with a modified Whitaker test. CONCLUSIONS: RALS with an extracorporeal bowel resection is feasible and appears to be safe, with quick postoperative recovery and encouraging outcomes.