ROBOT-ASSISTED URETERAL REIMPLANTATION: A SINGLE CENTER COMPARATIVE STUDY.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nTo report a single-center experience with robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation (RAUR) and to compare its outcomes with those of open ureteral reimplantation (OUR).\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nPatients who underwent RAUR or OUR for ureteral disease between 2016 and 2020 were identified. Data collected included baseline, pathological, perioperative and postoperative features. The RAUR outcomes were compared with those of OUR.\n\n\nRESULTS\nOverall, twenty-one (42.8%) patients underwent RAUR, and 28 (57.2%) underwent OUR. The two groups were similar in terms of baseline and pathological characteristics. There was a statistically significant difference in favor of RAUR for median operative time (216 vs. 317min, p=0.01) and median blood loss (35 vs. 175ml, p=0.001). No difference was observed in overall complication rate (33.3 vs. 46.4%, p=0.9), as well as major complications (Clavien-Dindo≥III grade) rate between RAUR and OUR groups. Median LOS was shorter for RAUR (2 vs. 6 days; p=0.001), as well as median catheterization time (16 vs. 28 days; p=0.005).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nRAUR is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical procedure for the management of mid to distal ureteral strictures. It can recapitulate the success rate of the gold standard OUR while offering a benefit in terms of lower surgical morbidity and faster postoperative recovery.