Robot-assisted resection of ectopic kidney in children: An anatomical illustration.

INTRODUCTION: Failure of kidney migration during embryonic life results in an ectopic kidney, with an incidence varying from 1 in 500 to 1 in 1200. Pelvic kidney can be a rare cause of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), warranting nephrectomy in some cases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 7-year-old girl with a history of recurrent UTIs and vaginal discharge was diagnosed with a dysplastic afunctional ectopic kidney located in the pelvis, with ureter draining into the cervix or vaginal wall.

RESULTS: A robot-assisted approach was chosen, with side docking of the robot to allow concurrent vaginoscopic/hysteroscopic exploration. A uterus bicornis was found. The ectopic ureter was dissected toward its drainage in the vaginal wall, where it was sutured and resected. The dysplastic kidney and ureter were removed. Compared to pure laparoscopic approach, dissection deep into the pelvis toward the vaginal wall is aided by the robotic dexterity and facilitates complete resection of the structure, which avoids leaving a ureteric stump into the vaginal wall.

CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted surgery is a safe and effective option for resection of ectopic kidneys with ectopic ureter in children. Dissection up until the vaginal wall in children is aided by robotic dexterity, making this kind of surgery the ideal indication for robotic-assisted surgery.