Minimally Invasive Open Renal Surgery

Purpose: Improved pediatric laparoscopic techniques and instruments have led to the increased popularity of laparoscopic pyeloplasty and nephrectomy at some centers. The recent trend has compared laparoscopic to open techniques to draw parallel conclusions from the adult literature that laparoscopic surgery in children offers the same advantages. Historically open renal surgery in the pediatric population has been done successfully but usually through more traumatic incisions. We present our experience with minimally invasive open renal surgery.Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the last 6 years was performed of consecutive open pyeloplasties for ureteropelvic junction obstruction and open nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidneys and renal duplication anomalies at a tertiary hospital for children. Parameters evaluated were patient age at surgery, surgical incision size, operative time, hospital stay and the need for postoperative narcotics.Results: A total of 135 patients underwent ope...