PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of a series of children younger than 2 years with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP), compared to children older than 2 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three children (18 male) with UPJO underwent 24 Anderson-Hynes transperitoneal LPs between March 2003 and July 2007. The diagnosis of UPJO was confirmed on renal sonography and diuretic renogram. Nine children were younger than 2 years (Group 1) and 14 were older (Group 2). One child had bilateral UPJO and underwent two non-simultaneous procedures. All children were investigated with postoperative diuretic renogram and renal sonography, and the results were statistically analysed. RESULTS: LP was feasible without conversions or intraoperative complications in all 24 cases. Median age in Groups 1 and 2 was 11 months (4-24) and 74 months (27-204), respectively, (P<0.00001). No differences were found between the groups regarding median operative time, complications, technical difficulties, discharge home and follow-up. All patients in both groups experienced resolution of symptoms or obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The LP in children younger than 2 years is highly successful with a low-rate of complications, and has the same outcomes as in older children.
PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of a series of children younger than 2 years with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP), compared to children older than 2 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three children (18 male) with UPJO underwent 24 Anderson-Hynes transperitoneal LPs between March 2003 and July 2007. The diagnosis of UPJO was confirmed on renal sonography and diuretic renogram. Nine children were younger than 2 years (Group 1) and 14 were older (Group 2). One child had bilateral UPJO and underwent two non-simultaneous procedures. All children were investigated with postoperative diuretic renogram and renal sonography, and the results were statistically analysed. RESULTS:LP was feasible without conversions or intraoperative complications in all 24 cases. Median age in Groups 1 and 2 was 11 months (4-24) and 74 months (27-204), respectively, (P<0.00001). No differences were found between the groups regarding median operative time, complications, technical difficulties, discharge home and follow-up. All patients in both groups experienced resolution of symptoms or obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The LP in children younger than 2 years is highly successful with a low-rate of complications, and has the same outcomes as in older children.