Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty with and without a ureteral stent.

Objective: Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) has been shown to be an efficacious treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Although the use of a ureteral stent is commonplace, the water-tight anastomosis possible with robotic assistance may obviate its need. We report a feasibility study of unstented RALPs and present our experience with both the stented (SRP) and unstented (URP) approach.

Symptoms related to ureteral stents in renal transplants compared with stents placed for other indications.

Objective: To use a validated questionnaire to compare indwelling ureteral stent symptoms in patients who had the ureteral stent placed during renal transplantation with patients who had retrograde insertion of the stent in a native kidney during endoscopic procedures.

Methods: Symptoms related to the presence of a ureteral stent were assessed prospectively in the two patient groups. Just before stent removal, patients completed a validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire evaluating urinary symptoms, body pain, general health, work performance, and sexual function.

The use of a Doppler ultrasound probe during vascular dissection in laparoscopic renal surgery.

Introduction And Objective: There have been many reports regarding the use of intraoperative ultrasound to identify vascular structures. However, few have examined the application of Doppler technology for the identification and dissection of hilar vessels during laparoscopic renal surgery (LRS). We describe the design and utility of what is, to our knowledge, the only available disposable laparoscopic Doppler probe (LDP).

Role of routine stentograms following urinary diversion in modern practice.

Objective: To examine the usefulness of routine stentograms in patient management following urinary diversion.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing urinary diversion from February 2004 to February 2007 was performed. Three hundred twenty-six patients were identified.

The role of routine postoperative stentograms in the pediatric patient undergoing excisional tapered ureteral reimplantation.

Objective: To determine the usefulness of routine stentograms in postoperative management of pediatric patients undergoing excisional tapered ureteral reimplantation.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of all pediatric patients undergoing excisional tapered ureteral reimplantation from March 2003 to March 2008 at one center was performed. One hundred patients were identified.