Robotics in urology: an update.

Urology has been quick to realise the advantages of surgical robots. We describe the main devices currently in use, the advantages and disadvantages of robotic-assisted surgery and the current and potential urological applications focussing on robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal nephrectomy for giant hydronephrosis: when simple nephrectomy isn't simple.

Background And Purpose: Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (RN) for giant hydronephrosis (GH) is regarded as a more challenging procedure than RN for small nonfunctioning kidneys (SNFK). We describe specific technical modifications to facilitate surgery in the GH group and compare outcomes in the two groups.

Patients And Methods: Data were collected in a prospective fashion on all patients undergoing upper urinary-tract laparoscopy at a single institution.