Laparoscopic hemi/partial nephrectomy in children with ureteral duplication anomalies.

INTRODUCTION: Recent advances in laparoscopic surgery as well as increasing experience with these techniques have led to the selection of laparoscopic surgery for hemi/partial nephroureterectomy in children with a non/poorly functioning moiety in a duplex kidney. There is very little data on the long term follow-up of such children. We report our experience of laparoscopic hemi-nephroureterectomy in children with duplex moiety.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the case records of children undergoing laparoscopic partial/hemi nephroureterectomy. Demographic data, age, weight, diagnosis, type of operation, operative time, concomitant and subsequent procedures, blood loss, use of drains, analgesic requirement, length of hospitalization and complications were recorded.

RESULTS: 29 children (21 girls and 8 boys) underwent laparoscopic hemi/partial nephrectomy. The median operative time was 94 min (range 68-146 min). The mean blood loss was 25 ml and no children required perioperative blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic hemi/partial nephrectomy in children is safe, associated with decreased morbidity and shorter hospitalization. Long term follow-up is necessary to study long term outcomes.