Journal of pediatric urology
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Comparative Study
Transition from open to robotic-assisted pediatric pyeloplasty: a feasibility and outcome study.
Laparoscopic reconstructive procedures in the pediatric patient are associated with a steep learning curve. Outcomes from robotic-assisted pediatric urology have been reported by surgeons with known facility in laparoscopic surgery. We describe the experience of a single surgeon in transitioning from open to robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) without previous training in traditional laparoscopic pyeloplasty or intracorporeal suturing. ⋯ Our experience confirms the feasibility of transitioning from open to robotic-assisted laparoscopic pediatric pyeloplasty without previous experience in conventional laparoscopy. Outcomes, analgesic requirement and hospitalization for the patients from our institution are comparable to the laparoscopy patient group and improved compared to open pyeloplasty patients from the literature.