Transumbilical multi-port laparoscopic pyeloplasty versus transumbilical single-site laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children: A retrospectively comparative study

Introduction: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty has achieved good cosmetic and functional outcomes. Both transumbilical single-site and transumbilical multi-port approaches are currently being used. No comparison of transumbilical single-site laparoscopic pyeloplasty (TSLP) and transumbilical multi-port laparoscopic pyeloplasty (TMLP) has been reported in the literature.

Objectives: We present a retrospective comparison study to evaluate clinical outcomes of TSLP and TMLP for children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Study design: A retrospective study was carried out comparing TSLP and TMLP performed by a single surgeon between July 2012 and June 2014. The patient data of the two groups (90 in each group) were evaluated. All patients underwent urine analysis, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance urography, and diuretic renogram using 99Tc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid scan preoperative and postoperative follow-up. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 software package.

Results: DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, our series is the first report in the literature that compares the outcomes of TSLP and TMLP in children. Our study suggested that there were no significant differences in start of oral feeding, drain removal, hospital stay, postoperative renal pelvic anteroposterior diameter and differential renal function at 6 months, postoperative complications, and success rate between the two groups. It demonstrated that TMLP is as effective and safe as TSLP. Although the cosmetic result of the TSLP group is satisfactory, TMLP requires three 0.5-cm ports around the umbilicus and does not change the shape of the umbilicus. Hence, the cosmetic result of the TMLP group is better than that of the TSLP group. TSLP involves some technical challenges. However, TMLP facilitates the procedure and renders the operation easier. Our findings confirmed that the operative time of TMLP group is shorter than that in TSLP group, and also showed that TMLP is relatively easy to perform compared with TSLP.

Conclusion: TMLP is a feasible and safe operation for pediatric UPJO. TMLP is shorter in operative time and has a better cosmetic result than TSLP. We propose TMLP as a more viable treatment option for pediatric UPJO.