Laparoscopic vesico-ureteral reimplantation with Lich-Gregoir approach in children: medium term results of 159 renal units in 117 children.

Purpose: Vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) represents one of the most significant risk factors for acute pyelonephritis in children. Surgery is an important part of its management. Laparoscopic ureteric reimplantation using the Lich-Gregoir technique is an option for VUR. The aim of this study is to assess short- and medium-term outcomes of this approach.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective study including all children with VUR treated by laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation with the Lich-Gregoir technique in University Hospital of Saint-Etienne from August 2007 to May 2016. Surgery was performed after the age of 12 months in cases with repeated urinary tract infection (UTI) and a deterioration of renal function. All patients were followed-up post operatively.

Results: 117 children (92 girls, 25 boys) representing 159 renal units were included. The mean age at surgery was 47.1 months (±32.7 months). The mean follow-up was 59.3 months (±31 months). The resolution rate for VUR in terms of no febrile urinary UTIs was 98.3%. The mean operative time was 96 min (±37.7 min) for unilateral procedures and 128 min (±46.1 min) for bilateral procedures. The mean hospital stay was 25.3 h (±6.3 h). There was no difference between males and females regarding age, weight, renal function or follow-up duration.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic reimplantation with Lich-Gregoir technique is an efficient, quick and safe technique for the management of VUR. The success rate is comparable to open techniques with the advantages of laparoscopic approach; this can potentially be performed as a Day Case procedure.