Ján Ľupták1, Michael Vraný2, Boris Eliáš1, Ján Švihra1, Roman Tomaškin1, Ján Kliment1
Introduction: Congenital anomalies in upper urinary tract are very common. We report our experience and results with laparoscopic approach to treatment of any congenital anomalies. Materials and methods: Between March 2000 and May 2009, 4 men and 4 women, mean age 35.7 years (range 12 to 59), with upper urinary tract anomalies underwent treatment at our department. Anomalies included pelvic kidneys in 6 cases and a duplicated collecting system in 2 patients. Laparoscopic heminephrectomy was a standard treatment in 2 patients with an obstructed, poorly functioning upper/lower pole renal moiety. There were three nephrectomies, two pyelolithotomies and one Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty of uereteropelvic junction obstruction in patients with existing pelvic kidneys. Transperitoneal approach was used in all patients. Results: The mean operative time was 151 minutes (range 67 to 251) and mean estimated blood loss was 133 cc (range 40 to 295). No patient required transfusion. Average length of hospital stay was 2.8 days (range 2 to 5) and drainage was withdrawn on the average 1.6-days after the operation. There were neither complications nor conversions to open surgery. Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach in treatment of congenital abnormities appears to be a simple, effective and safe therapeutic modality with low morbidity and good clinical and functional outcomes. Detailed review of imaging during laparoscopy is important to ensure efficient treatment and to minimize complications.