Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy in duplicated collecting systems in the pediatric population: Techniques and outcomes

ObjectiveWe present our experience with pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy of a nonfunctioning moiety in a duplicated system (RALPN), comparing techniques and outcomes with those previously reported in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the largest series of this surgical procedure to date.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed all pediatric patients at our institution that had undergone RALPN from 2006 to 2012.ResultsTwenty-one patients underwent RALPN between 2006 and 2012. Mean patient age was 4.1 years. Mean operative time was 301 min. Mean estimated blood loss was 36 ml. Mean length of stay was 38 h. The majority of cases were performed with three laparoscopic ports. At initial follow-up ultrasound 6/21 (29%) demonstrated a fluid collection. The majority of these collections occurred in cases where the resection defect was not closed intraoperatively (42% of cases vs. 11% of cases). All fluid collections were asymptomatic and managed conservatively.ConclusionRALPN is associated with low complication rates. The robotic system allows for the use of only two small robotic working ports in most cases. Postoperative fluid collections may be prevented by formal closure of the polar defect, but fluid collections that do occur can be followed conservatively.