Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Distal Ureteral Surgery

BACKGROUND: The use of robotic assistance in adult genitourinary surgery has been successful in many operations, leading surgeons to test its use in other applications as well. METHODS: Based on our use during prostatectomy, we have applied robotic surgery to complex distal ureteral surgeries since 2004 with successful outcomes. RESULTS: A series of 11 patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic distal ureteral surgery is presented. These surgeries include distal ureterectomy for ureteral cancer with reimplantation, as well as reimplantation with and without Boari flap or psoas hitch for benign conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery can be successfully applied to patients requiring distal ureteral surgery. Maintenance of the principles of open surgery is paramount.