Comparison of open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty in ureteropelvic junction obstruction surgery: report of 49 cases.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty compared with open surgery and to determine whether the morbidity and outcome rates are different in each of these techniques. We report our 10-year experience with open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty at one istitution.

Methods: From February 1999 to October 2010, 49 patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction were assigned into two groups. 25 patients underwent open surgical pyeloplasty (period 1999-2010) and 24 underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty (period 2004-2010). 25 patients undergoing open pyeloplasty had a retroperitoneal flank approach. Of the 24 laparoscopic cases 18 had a transperitoneal retrocolic access, 1 had a transperitoneal transmesocolic access and 5 had a retroperitoneal access. In all 49 cases an Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty was used. We retrospectively compared the operative time, hospital stay, perioperative complications and follow-up of the two groups. Clinical symptoms were assessed before and after surgery, subjectively.

Results: Patients dermographic data were similar between the two groups with mean age of 42 years (range 6-78) and with a male/female ratio of 1:1.45. A crossing vessel could be identified in 37.5% (9/24) with laparoscopy vs. 32% (8/25) in open surgery. Compared with open procedures, laparoscopic procedures were associated with a longer mean operating time (274 vs 143 min), a shorter mean hospital stay (9.9 vs 15.8 day) and the perioperative complication rates were 16.7% for laparoscopic pyeloplasties and 20% for open pyeloplasties. The success rates were 90.5% for laparoscopy and 90.9% for open surgery. Average follow-up was 40.9 month for the laparoscopic group and 72.3 month for the open group. Failed procedures showed no improvement in loin pain or obstruction.

Conclusions: The efficacy (in term of success rate and perioperative complications) of laparoscopic pyeloplasty is comparable to that of open pyeloplasty, with shorter mean hospital stay and better cosmetic results. These findings may suggest, that the laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty has the potential to replace open surgery and may be considered the first option for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in expert hands.