Robot-assisted laparoscopic transplant-to-native ureteroureterostomy of an intraperitoneal renal allograft.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to describe our experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic transplant-to-native ureteroureterostomy (UU) in a pediatric patient with an intraperitoneal renal allograft. We have previously demonstrated this technique for an extraperitoneal allograft.

METHODS: The patient is a 17-year-old female who had undergone a deceased donor renal transplant at 5 years of age. She developed acute kidney injury and hydronephrosis because of a ureteral stricture that developed after a right ovarian cyst excision. A retrograde pyelogram of her native ureter showed normal morphology. Her options were discussed and she proceeded with a robotic transplant-to-native UU.

RESULTS: Robot-assisted laparoscopic transplant-to-native UU was performed via an intraperitoneal approach. The procedure time was 217 min with an estimated blood loss of 10 mL. Her postoperative course was unremarkable. After ureteral stent removal, her serum creatinine remained stable and follow-up imaging showed an improvement in hydronephrosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric robot-assisted laparoscopic transplant-to-native UU for an intraperitoneal allograft is a technically feasible approach for the treatment of transplant ureteral strictures that combines the durability of open revision with the minimal invasiveness of endourologic management.