Laparoscopic Approach to a Rare Cause of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in a Child: Ureteral Polyp.

Fibroepithelial polyps are a rare underlying reason of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In the past, open surgery was the only option. However, due to development of minimal invasive technics, treatment alternatives have been changed. Resection by laparoscopy or endoscopy, laser fulguration and/or percutaneous resection are recommended in children and adults. Here, we present a 10-year-old boy with severe left hydronephrosis due to fibroepithelial polyp close to the ureteropelvic junction and our laparoscopic approach.

Introduction

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in children most commonly occurs due to adynamic segment of ureter. Ureteral polyp is another rare cause of UPJO. Previously, ureteral polyp causing UPJO in children has been reported in as low as 0.5% of pyeloplasties in children.1 However, in recent studies the incidence reported was around 5%.2 3 4 5 As Li et al mentioned in their report, authors are unsure on whether it is due to more careful patient data documentation or it is about the increase of incidence.5

Fibroepithelial polyps are more common in boys than girls.1 2 3 4 5 It is predominant at the left side in up to 70% of the patients.1 6 7 Moreover, bilateral cases were reported as well.8 Even if many phenotypes of fibroepithelial polyp (FEP) were defined, there is no consensus on etiology such as chronic irritation, infections, hormonal imbalance, allergy, or developmental defects.9 10

Hydronephrosis with ureteral polyp requires surgical treatment, due to the risk of malignity1 11 and obstruction. Open surgery was the only option in the past. However, minimally invasive techniques are currently very popular. Excision of the polyp can be performed by laparoscopy, retroperitoneoscopy, transurethral ureteroscopy, or percutaneous access.12 13 14 15 16 17 Overall, Kojima et al described performing endoscopy via a working port while laparoscopic exploration.4

In this case report, we present laparoscopic technique in a patient who had ureteral polyp close to the left UPJ.

Case Report

A-10-year old boy was admitted at our pediatric emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain and vomiting. In his medical history, he had episodes of abdominal pain without hematuria or urinary tract infection. He had mild hydronephrosis on ultrasound since the past 4 years. The abdominal pain was located on the left upper abdomen and lumbar region. Although previous ultrasound reports revealed only mild hydronephrosis, the last one showed hydronephrosis related to a polyploid lesion, which was located near UPJ and protruding into the proximal left ureter (Fig. 1). A 99mTc diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) renography revealed nonobstructive hydronephrosis with late drainage after diuretic injection. Laparoscopic excision of the polyp was planned.

Fig. 1

USG image of ureteral polyp. USG, ultrasound.

Surgical Technique

The patient was placed in supine semilateral position on the operating table. Umbilical 10 mm optic port (10 mm reusble port, Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG) and two 5 mm (disposable) working ports, one on the epigastric region and the other on the left lower quadrant were introduced. Pneumoperitoneum was created at a pressure of 13 mm Hg with the flow of 3.5 L/min. Transmesocolic laparoscopic exploration showed a protruding mass on UPJ and hydronephrosis (Figs. 2 and 3). Following the transmesocolic dissection of UPJ, a stay suture passing through the abdominal wall was placed to keep the left ureter hanging. Pelvis, close to the UPJ, was incised and a cauliflower-shaped polyp that was about 20 mm in diameter with a wide base protruding (Fig. 4) could be seen. Excision of the mass was performed including the regions of pelvis and ureter close to the mass (Fig. 5). Dismembered pyeloplasty was performed with interrupted 5–0 polydioxanone sutures and double J stent was placed. Thereafter, mesocolic window was closed. The total operative time was 200 minutes, with an estimated operative blood loss of 20 mL. The patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. The stent was removed in the 3rd postoperative week. Pathology confirmed the mass excised as FEP. After a follow-up of 2 years, patient did well with normal DTPA renography.

Fig. 2

Transmesocolic view of ureteral polyp during laparoscopy through retroperitoneum.

Fig. 3

Transmesocolic view of ureteral polyp after dissecting the retroperitoneum.

Fig. 4

Ureteral polyp protruding outside from the incision of UPJ. UPJ, ureteropelvic junction.

Fig. 5

Surgical margins of pathology.

Discussion

FEPs of the ureter are of mesoderm origin, rare benign tumors in children.18 They may arise in any location from renal pelvis to the urethra in the order of decreasing frequency.19 On the other hand, FEPs may have varied sizes and shapes. They might be 1to 50 mm long or have shapes such as pedunculated with a smooth surface or with multiple finger-like projections.1 10 20 21 Age of the patient, structural features of polyps, and experience level of the surgeon determine treatment preferences and consequences of surgery.

However, although there are few studies, transitional cell carcinoma arising from fibroepithelial polyp and recurrence due to incomplete resection has been reported.11 22 On the other hand, Adey et al stated in 2003 that only 22% of FEPs were diagnosed preoperatively and Li et al mentioned in 2014 that none of the FEPs in their study were detected before surgery.1 5 In our case, FEP was detected after a follow-up of 4 years. So we believe the delay in diagnosis might be due to intermittent obstruction and slow growing nature of polyp. Although malignity, recurrence, and any other associated polyp is extremely low, surgeon should ensure not to leave remnant of FEPs during excision.

In the past, open surgery was the only option, however, recently minimal invasive approaches have been recommended in children and adults.4 13 14 15 23 Furthermore, several authors have described their successful experience in using holmium laser resection, percutaneous, and/or ureteroscopic approaches in the treatment of FEPs.13 14 15 Conversely, Sun et al figured out in their study that strictures might be cause of over vaporization and Kiel et al mentioned the risk of recurrence due to incomplete resection of tumor.4 15 24 Bartone et al speculated that resecting the polyp without base might cause obstruction and recurrence.25 On the other hand, Adey et al underlined the importance of dismembered pyeloplasty whereas polyps might have been missed, if spiral flap or Y–V pyeloplasty is performed.1 Moreover, Iwatsuki et al and Tsuzuki et al published their successful laparoscopic treatment of FEP either in child and adult patients.16 26

Since FEP was located close to UPJ, we preferred to perform laparoscopy. Laparoscopy has several advantages compared to endoscopic procedures, especially in children. It should be noted that, despite postoperative controversies of endoscopic resection or fulguration of a wide base polyp; local resection, fulguration, or pyeloplasty can be performed easily during laparoscopic approach. The overall laparoscopic exploration shows the exact location and size of the polyp, neighboring organs, and structures. Luminal mucosal evaluation with exposure of proximal and distal resection margins could be performed well with optic magnification.

There are several options for laparoscopic approach to renal pelvis and UPJ region on the left side. Depending on the patient and experience of the surgeon retroperitoneoscopy, transabdominal retrocolic or transmesocolic approaches can be performed.12 13 14 15 16 17 To our knowledge, in pediatric age group, retroperitoneoscopy and endoscopy may not provide enough surgical working space. So we suggest transabdominal transmesocolic approach and believe that exploration and surgical manipulation might be easier compared to retroperitoneoscopy or endoscopy.