Single-center experience with pediatric laparoscopic extravesical reimplantation: Safe and effective in simple and complex anatomy

Purpose: Minimally invasive approaches to the surgical management of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) have become more prominent over the last 10 years with progress in both endoscopic and laparoscopic/robotic surgery. We hypothesized that laparoscopic extravesical detrussoraphy (LED) for the management of VUR in children with complex bladders and/or bilateral VUR was safe and effective. Subjects and Methods: Under institutional review board approval we evaluated the charts of all patients seen at our institution over the last 8 years who had undergone LED for the management of VUR. We evaluated demographic variables, surgical variables, and postoperative results. Postoperative bladder function was examined in the patients as well as need for secondary procedures. Patients with complex bladders included all patients who had previous surgery on the affected side, neurogenic bladders, and duplex or complex anatomy. Results: Ninety-eight patients with 144 ureters were treated during this time period. The overall VUR resolution by voiding cystourethrogram was 95.2%. The average age was 6.74 years, with 13 children over the age of 12 years old. Average length of stay (LOS) was 1.7 days for children 5 years and older and 1.0 days for children less than 5 years old (P=.004). LOS was not affected by body mass index or complexity of the procedure. There were 46 bilateral procedures, and the incidence of urinary retention was 6.5% versus 0% in the unilateral group (P=.09). Of our patients, 27.6% had complex bladders, including 9 patients with complete ureteral duplications, 10 with periureteral diverticula, and 8 with prior surgery on the affected side. There were two complications requiring a second procedure in this group (7%). No patient with a complex bladder had persistent VUR. Conclusion: LED for the management of children with complex bladders and VUR is safe and effective. This technique is versatile and achieves high VUR resolution rates with minimal morbidity.