Laparoscopic pyeloureteral junction surgery in children

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children was first performed in 1995 by Peters et al. Laparoscopic treatment of the pyeloureteral junction was possible in all 6 children. Treatment consisted of pyeloplasty in 3 cases, pyeloplasty with polar vessel unhooking in one case, and transposition of the inferior polar vessel in 2 cases. Mean operative time was 151 min for pyeloplasty and 102.5 min for vascular transposition. Average hospital stay was 1.4 days (1-2 days). Postoperative ultrasound monitoring showed a reduction in pyelo-caliceal dilatation in 4 patients and a stable appearance in 2 others. JPU can be cured laparoscopically, with results comparable to those of conventional cure. The laparoscopic approach provides excellent working space and improves the quality of exposure for dissection of the UPJ. This procedure is feasible in children under 6 months of age.