Transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty for pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children: technique and preliminary outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is rapidly becoming an acceptable procedure for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the pediatric population. We present our experience with transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in pelvic kidneys in pediatric patients. METHODS: A transperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used for performing a pyeloplasty in 4 patients, 7 months to 8 years of age (mean age, 3.14), with ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a pelvic kidney. RESULTS: Average operative time was 2.1 hours (range, 1.5 to 2.8). Mean hospital stay was 2.15 days (range, 1 to 7). No intraoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty for pelvic kidneys is feasible in the pediatric population, and preliminary results appear to offer the same outcome as that seen in orthotopic kidneys.