Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Ureteral Reimplantation in Pre-toilet Trained Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of pre-toilet trained children undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) for the treatment of primary VUR at our institution and compare these to an older cohort.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from a single institution's registry, comparing outcomes between pre-toilet trained and toilet trained children who underwent RALUR for primary VUR. Preoperative parameters, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.

Is robot-assisted appendicovesicostomy equivalent to the current gold standard open procedure? A comparative analysis.

Introduction: Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Appendicovesicostomy (RALAPV) is increasingly performed as a minimally invasive alternative to the open appendicovesicostomy (OPAV), but questions remain regarding the efficacy of the RALAPV compared to OPAV.

Objective: To assess and compare outcomes for non-augmented RALAPV to the open surgical approach.

Materials And Methods: An IRB approved prospective registry was retrospectively examined to abstract all patients who underwent APV without augment between 2012 and 2023.

Ureteroscopy for stone disease in pediatric patients with neurogenic bladder: A single institution case-control study.

Introduction: Ureteroscopy (URS) for urolithiasis in pediatric patients may be particularly challenging for patients with co-morbidities that increase the risk for stone formation and recurrence. Patients with neurogenic bladders (NGB) and/or patients that are non-ambulatory are reported to have higher rates of additional comorbidities and a particularly increased risk of developing urolithiasis, and higher rates of infections and post-operative complications.

Objective: To report outcomes of URS for stone disease in pediatric patients with NGB and/or non-ambulatory status and compare these outcomes to patients without these co-morbidities.

The missed crossing vessel during open pyeloplasty: a potential advantage of the robot-assisted approach in children.

Objective: To investigate whether the panoramic view offered by robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) reduces the likelihood of missing a crossing vessel compared to open pyeloplasty in cases where initial pyeloplasty fails.

Methods: A single institution redo-pyeloplasty database was reviewed for children treated between January 2012 to July 2023. Clinical history, imaging and operative details were reviewed to identify the etiology for the redo procedure.

Unmasking Ureteral Polyps: Insights From a Case Series.

Fibroepithelial polyps in the urinary tract are a rare cause of obstructive uropathy with fewer than 130 cases reported in the literature. In our series, we describe polyps that were missed on preoperative imaging and later found in the operating room during pyeloplasty. It is critical for urologists to be aware of polyps as a potential source of obstruction as they can increase the complexity of a reconstruction and, if missed, may result in a failed repair and persistent obstruction.

Pediatric Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty: Where Are We Now?

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the recent advancements in robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) and its evolving landscape in the context of infant pyeloplasty, complex genitourinary (GU) anatomy, recurrent ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, cost considerations, and the learning curve.

Recent Findings: Recent literature highlights the safety and efficacy of RALP in treating the infant population, patients with complex GU anomalies, and recurrent UPJO which were all traditionally managed using the open approach. Cost considerations are evolving, with the potential for RALP to have a lesser financial burden.

Utilizing RENAL nephrometry in pediatric patients undergoing nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumors: A single-institutional cohort.

Introduction: RENAL Nephrometry is a complexity score validated in adults with renal tumors and describes the likelihood of complication after partial nephrectomy (PN). Utilization in pediatrics has been limited. Thus, our goal is to quantify inter-rater agreement as well as determine how scores correlate with outcomes.

Does Preoperative Testosterone Administration Decrease Complications in Distal Hypospadias Repair With Urethroplasty?

Purpose: Testosterone administration prior to hypospadias repair is common practice among pediatric urologists; however, its impact on surgical outcomes remains controversial. We hypothesize that testosterone administration prior to distal hypospadias repair with urethroplasty significantly decreases postoperative complications.

Materials And Methods: We queried our hypospadias database for primary distal hypospadias repairs with urethroplasty from 2015 to 2021.

Caudal anesthesia is not associated with post-operative complications following distal hypospadias repair.

Introduction: The use of caudal anesthesia at the time of hypospadias repair remains controversial as some prior studies have reported increased postoperative complication rates associated with caudal nerve block. However, these results have been called into question due to confounding factors and heterogeneous study groups.

Objective: Given the importance of identifying true risk factors associated with increased hypospadias complication rate, we examined our experience with caudal anesthesia limiting our analysis to distal repairs.

Does ketorolac administration at the time of hypospadias surgery increase unplanned encounters in the immediate postoperative period?

Introduction & Objective: The opioid crisis has raised concerns for long-term sequela of routine administration of opioids to patients, particularly in the pediatric population. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is limited in hypospadias surgery due to concerns for post-operative bleeding, particularly with ketorolac. We hypothesize that ketorolac administration at the time of hypospadias repair is not associated with increased bleeding or immediate adverse events.

Deferring gonadectomy in patients with turner syndrome with a genetic Y component is not a safe practice.

Introduction: Patients with Turner syndrome who harbor Y chromosome material are known to be at increased risk of developing germ cell neoplasms. The optimal timing to perform gonadectomy to reduce the risk of cancer development in these patients is not well defined. We present outcomes of Turner with a Y component (TSY) patients who underwent gonadectomy at our institution.

Trends in opioid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) usage in children undergoing common urinary tract reconstruction: A large, single-institutional analysis.

Introduction And Objective: Opioid stewardship is recognized as a critical clinical priority. We previously reported marked reductions in narcotic administration after implementation of an opioid reduction protocol for pediatric ambulatory urologic surgery. We hypothesize that a decrease in post-operative and discharge opioid administration will not increase short-term adverse events.

Incidence and resolution of de novo hydronephrosis after pediatric robot-assisted laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation for primary vesicoureteral reflux.

Introduction: With the advent of robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) for primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), understanding and minimizing its complications continues to be critical. Incidence of de novo hydronephrosis after RALUR could be indicative of an outcome that needs further study or could be a benign transient finding.

Objective: In the present study, we hypothesized that the incidence of de novo hydronephrosis after RALUR is low and resolves spontaneously.

Intrascrotal Lipoblastoma: A Rare Cause of Paratesticular Mass in a Pediatric Patient.

There is a broad differential diagnosis for a pre-pubertal child presenting with a scrotal mass including both benign and malignant etiologies. Lipoblastomas are rare benign neoplasms originating from fat cells that occur most commonly on the trunk or extremities of young children. There have been less than 20 cases of scrotal lipoblastomas reported in the literature, with the majority occurring in children less than 3 years of age.

Office Based Pediatric Urologic Procedures: A Safe and Effective Alternative to Interventions Under Anesthesia.

Objective: To report on our experience performing office-based pediatric urologic procedures. We hypothesize that office-based interventions are safe and effective for children, avoiding unnecessary risk and cost associated with general anesthesia.

Methods: We retrospectively identified patients undergoing office-based interventions from 2014 to 2019, including lysis of penile or labial adhesions, division of skin bridges, meatotomy and excision of benign lesion.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Ureterocalicostomy in the Setting of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction: A Multi-Institutional Cohort.

Purpose: Recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) after failed pyeloplasty is a complex surgical dilemma. The robot-assisted laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy (RALUC) is a potential surgical approach, but widespread adoption is limited due to the perceived technical challenge of the procedure. We present a multi-institutional pediatric cohort undergoing RALUC for recurrent or complex UPJO, and hypothesize that the procedure is reproducible, safe and efficacious.

Expanding the Use of Nephron-Sparing Surgery for Wilms Tumor.

Radical nephrectomy combined with contemporary chemotherapeutic and radiation therapy protocols has drastically improved outcomes for children with Wilms tumor. Patients with bilateral disease and a syndrome predisposing to tumor development have necessitated the use of nephron-sparing surgery in select cases. Success in managing these patients has increased the indication for partial nephrectomy, although current guidelines for unilateral Wilms tumor are limited.