Comparison of Pediatric Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy and Laparoendoscopic Single-site Nephroureterectomy

ObjectiveTo compare outcomes between pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (RALNU) and laparoendoscopic single-site nephroureterectomy (LESSNU).MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed of all patients who underwent RALNU and LESSNU at a single pediatric institution from April 2009 to April 2013. Patient demographics, perioperative details, and outcomes were reviewed.ResultsThirty-two patients (20 men, 12 women) were identified. Twenty-four patients underwent RALNU and 8 patients underwent LESSNU. There was no significant blood loss, intraoperative complication, or conversion to open or standard laparoscopy for either procedure. Median age was 55.1 months (range 4.5-171.8 months) for RALNU and 51.6 months (range 16.3-144.9 months) for LESSNU (P = .695). Median weight was 19.1 kg (range 7-55 kg) for RALNU and 16.9 kg (range 11-41 kg) for LESSNU (P = .727). Median operative time was 227 minutes (range 112-362 minutes) for RALNU and 174 minutes (range 74-288 minutes) for LESSNU (P = .028). Median length of hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-4 days) for RALNU and 1 day (range 0-6 days) for LESSNU (P = .134). Median in-patient postoperative narcotic use of morphine-equivalent was 0.03 mg/kg/day (range 0-0.2) for RALNU and <0.01 mg/kg/day (range 0-0.2) for LESSNU (P = .134). Median in-patient postoperative Ketorolac use was <0.01 mg/kg/day (range 0-0.8) for RALNU and <0.01 mg/kg/day (range 0-0.5) for LESSNU (P = .784). Median follow-up was 22 months (range 0.8-48.4 months) for RALNU and 18.8 months (range 0.3-29.4 months) for LESSNU (P = .361). We observed 2 complications (8.3%) in RALNU and 1 in LESSNU (P = 1).ConclusionLESSNU has a significantly shorter operative time with comparable in-patient postoperative narcotics use as compared to RALNU.