[Laparoscopic management of symptomatic urachal anomalies].

Introduction: Acquired urachal anomalies are a rare pathology. Gold-standard treatment for this clinical situation remains the resection of the urachus in its entire tract with or without partial resection of the bladder. Our aim is to up-date authors's experience in the minimally invasive surgical treatment of acquired urachal disease.

Methods: From 2001 to 2007, 14 patients were operated for acquired urachal disease at our institution. A three portal technique previously described by the authors was employed. The diagnosis of acquired uracal disease was confirmed in all cases and the resection of the urachus in its entire tract performed in cephalocaudal direction onto the bladder. Operative and demographic data was prospectively collected and analysis retrospectively performed.

Results: Mean operative time was 63 minutes (45,110), minimal blood loss, and no conversions to open surgery or perioperative complications were verified. The majority of the patients were discharged in the first 24 hours. At a follow-up of 22 months no recurrences of urachal pathology recurrences have been verified.

Conclusions: Laparoscopy plays a significant role in the management of symptomatic urachus anomalies. It allows objective confirmation of clinical diagnosis and adequate resection of the urachus in a safe and efficient fashion, while providing the well-known advantages of minimally acces surgery. Preoperative evaluation work-up has minimal impact of therapeutical decision.