Oscar Eduardo Hidetoshi Fugita

LAPAROSCOPIC PYELOPLASTY: THE FIRST 100 CASES

PURPOSE Laparoscopic pyeloplasty was developed as a minimally invasive alternative to an open procedure for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Long-term followup has not yet been reported. We present experience with the first 100 consecutive cases of laparoscopic pyeloplasty performed at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of 100 consecutive laparoscopic pyeloplasties in 99 patients (means age 37.3 years) between August 1993 and January 1999 was performed. All patients had radiographic evidence of obstruction with signs, symptoms or deterioration of renal function. Repair was for primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction in 83 patients and secondary obstruction in 17. The 4 types of repairs performed were Anderson-Hynes dismembered (71 cases), Y-V plasty (20), Heineke-Mirhulicz (8) and Davis intubated ureterotomy (1). Type of repair used was dictated by intraoperative findings. Twenty patients had nonobstructing renal stones and underwent concomitant pyelolithotomy. All patients were assessed for symptoms and radiographic evaluation for anatomical obstruction. RESULTS Average operating room time was 4.2 hours, which decreased with surgeon experience. Average blood loss was 181 cc and hospital stay was 3.3 days. Two patients required blood transfusion. A crossing vessel was found in 57 patients. With a mean clinical and radiographic followup of 2.7 and 2.2 years, respectively, 96% of the patients were free of obstruction on followup radiographic imaging. Of the patients who underwent concomitant pyelolithotomy, 18 (90%) were stone-free at last followup. All failures occurred within the first postoperative year. There were 12 complications in this series. CONCLUSIONS In experienced hands laparoscopic pyeloplasty is an effective alternative treatment for symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The results appear durable and comparable to open pyeloplasty with decreased postoperative morbidity.

Port site tumor recurrences of renal cell carcinoma after videolaparoscopic radical nephrectomy.

Videolaparoscopic radical nephrectomy is considered safe and oncologically appropriate for patients with renal cell carcinoma. We report a case of port site tumor recurrence 5 months after videolaparoscopic radical nephrectomy. CASE REPORT

Telementoring between Brazil and the United States: initial experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To assess the safety and feasibility of transcontinental telementored and telepresence surgery, we report on two procedures carried out with participation by surgeons in Baltimore in the United States and São Paulo and Recife in Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS Over a period of 3 months, a laparoscopic bilateral varicocelectomy and a percutaneous renal access for a percutaneous nephrolithotomy were performed. The mentoring surgeon (LRK) was the same for both procedures. He used a 650-MHz personal computer fitted with a Z360 video COder/ DECoder (CODEC) and a Z208 communication board (Zydacron Corp, Manchester, NH) that comprise the core of the telesurgical station. In the first case, a surgical robot, AESOP 3000 (Computer Motion Inc.), was attached to a laparoscope, and the remote surgeon drove the robot via a controller on the remote computer. In the second case, another robot (Percutaneous Access to the Kidney; PAKY) was used for percutaneous needle placement into the renal collecting system. RESULTS The two procedures were completed successfully. In the first case, the operative time was 25 minutes, with minimal estimated blood loss. The patient was discharged home the next day. At 3-month follow-up, there was no scrotal pain or varicocele. In the second case, access to the urinary tract was achieved with the first needle pass, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy was uneventful. Blood loss was minimal, and the patient was discharged home on the second postoperative day. At 3-month follow-up, the patient was free of urinary stones and of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The first transcontinental telementored and telepresence urologic surgical procedures have been reported previously. The success observed with the novel surgical techniques has motivated great interest. The cases reported here demonstrate that several types of procedures can be mentored safely and effectively with telemedicine technology.

Laparoscopic treatment of retroperitoneal fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is an uncommon cause of ureteral obstruction. Surgical treatment is required in most cases. Open ureterolysis, although effective, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. We present data on a series of 13 patients undergoing laparoscopic ureterolysis for RPF. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between December 1994 and October 2000, 13 patients with RPF underwent laparoscopic ureterolysis at our institution. Operative time, complications, estimated intraoperative blood loss, time to oral intake, amount of parenteral analgesics used, and length of hospital stay were reviewed. Postoperative pyelography or diuretic urography was performed to assess ureteral patency. RESULTS Laparoscopic ureterolysis was successful in 11 patients (85%); two conversions to open surgery were needed (15%). One patient required a laparoscopic Boari flap on one side because of intense fibrosis. Four postoperative complications (30%) were managed with conservative measures. At a mean follow-up of 30 months, intravenous urography or renal scan showed relief of obstruction in 92% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic ureterolysis is an option to treat RPF. It is not free of complications and failures, and its precise role in the treatment of RPF still needs to be judged with longer follow-up and larger number of patients.

Laparoscopic renal biopsy: a 9-year experience.

Renal biopsy is a frequent procedure in patients with suspected intrinsic renal disease. In some patients the blind percutaneous approach is contraindicated; the authors from Johns Hopkins describe their experience over a 9‐year period using a laparoscopic approach. They found that adequate tissue could be obtained for biopsy in the large majority of cases, and that complications occurred in a tiny minority. Most patients were discharged within 24 h. They indicate the advantages in removing tissue by this method.

Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula

PURPOSE Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is one of the most devastating surgical complications that can occur in women. The primary cause remains an abdominal hysterectomy. Approach to this condition can be transvaginal or transabdominal. Laparoscopic repair of VVF may be an alternative approach to this treating rare condition. We present seven cases of VVF treated with transperitoneal laparoscopic technique and our results. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 7 women ranging from 37 to 74 years in age (mean age 52.8 years) at our institution who underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal repair of VVF between February 2004 and March 2006. Etiology of the VVF, surgical technique, operative time, length of hospital stay, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS Six of the seven VVFs we repaired laparoscopically resulted from gynecologic procedures, and one patient presented with a VVF after a ureterolithotripsy. Mean operative time ranged from 130 to 420 minutes (mean 280 minutes), and mean hospital stay was 7 days. In one patient conversion to open surgery was necessary due to prolonged operative time. Two complications occurred: a urinary tract infection in one patient and an inferior limb compartment syndrome in another. CONCLUSION Transvaginal laparoscopic repair of VVF is feasible and safe and provides excellent results. It is a good alternative to the abdominal approach. However, advanced laparoscopic skills are mandatory.

Primary localized amyloidosis of the ureter.

Primary amyloidosis is a rare condition that can involve the urinary tract. These lesions can occur anywhere in the collecting system and are often mistaken clinically for malignancies. We report a case of localized ureteral amyloidosis. Our treatment consisted of a conservative approach with local resection.

Ureteroscopy in pregnant women for ureteral stone.

INTRODUCTION The occurrence of urolithiasis in pregnancy represents a challenge in both diagnosis and treatment of this condition, because it presents risks not only to the mother but also to the fetus. Surgical treatment may be indicated for patients with infection, persistent pain, and obstruction of a solitary kidney. We present our experience on the management of pregnant patients with ureteral calculi and a review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS The charts of 19 pregnant patients with obstructive ureteral calculi were retrospectively reviewed. Gestational age ranged from 13 to 33 weeks. In all patients, ureteral stone was diagnosed on abdominal ultrasound. In regard to localization, 15 calculi were in the distal ureter, 3 in the proximal ureter, and 1 in the interior of an ureterocele. Calculi size ranged from 6 to 10 mm (mean, 8 mm). The following criteria were used to indicate ureteroscopy: persistent pain with no improvement after clinical treatment, increase in renal dilation, or presence of uterine contractions. Nine patients (47.3%) were submitted to ureteroscopy. All calculi (100%) were removed with a stone basket extractor under continuous endoscopic vision. None of the calculi demanded the use of a lithotriptor. RESULTS Nine patients (47.3%) treated with clinical measurements presented no obstetric complications and spontaneous elimination of the calculi. Nine patients (47.3%) submitted to ureteroscopy had no surgical complications. There was remission of pain in all cases after ureteroscopy and ureteral catheter placement. CONCLUSION The diagnosis and treatment of ureteral lithiasis in pregnant women present potential risks for the fetus and the mother. Conservative management is the first option, but ureteroscopy may be performed with safety and high success rates.

Splenic rupture and abscess after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the first choice for the treatment of most urinary stones. Complications of ESWL can be separated into two groups: those related to the administration of the shock waves and those related to fragmentation and elimination of the stones particles. We report a rare case of splenic trauma followed by abscess after ESWL.

Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation for ureteral lesion secondary to transvaginal ultrasonography for oocyte retrieval.

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular puncture for oocyte retrieval is a highly efficient and minimally invasive method for assisted reproductive techniques. Complications related to this procedure are rare. We report the case of a ureteral stricture secondary to ultrasound-guided follicular puncture for oocyte retrieval that was corrected by a laparoscopic approach. This approach can minimize postoperative pain, the length of hospitalization, and the period of convalescence and should be considered a minimally invasive option in the management of this rare complication of oocyte retrieval.