New technologies: robotic-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in adolescents. The first Italian experience.

The literature about pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty (RALDP) is poor and limited to few series. This article reports the initial pediatric experience comparing it with the major series.Between January 2006 and January 2007 at Umberto Parini Hospital in Aosta three patients were treated for left RALDP by a single senior surgeon.Mean age of the patients was 16.1 years (range 14.9-17.0). Mean body mass index was 21.6 kg/m2 (range 18.7-26.9). All patients were treated for left RALDP. Mean operative time (OT) was 160 minutes (range 120-185). Blood loss was null in all procedures and no interventions were converted to open. Mean postoperative hospitalization was 6.3 days (range 5-8). No intra- or postoperative complications occurred.This short series demonstrates that RALDP is feasible in adolescents as well and in a peripheral Centre high skilled in adult robotic urology. The OT is excellent in comparison with other series. A preliminary experience in adult robotic surgery and an initial collaboration with urologists for adults are strongly recommended.