Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Reconstruction of the Upper Urinary Tract: Tips and Tricks

OBJECTIVES To examine whether simple tips and tricks provided in this manuscript and video make robotic reconstruction of the urinary tract possible from the renal calyx to the bladder. The da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) has been widely accepted by urologists for complex reconstructive maneuvers such as radical prostatectomy and pyeloplasty. METHODS The manuscript and accompanying video outline tips and tricks for patient selection, patient evaluation, port placement, dissection techniques, robotic docking, ureteral repair, and stent management for complex urinary tract reconstruction of the upper urinary tract from the level of the renal calyx to the bladder. RESULTS Modifications such as port placement, robotic docking techniques, and ureter reconstruction have simplified the technique of complex robotic-assisted laparoscopic reconstruction of the urinary tract. CONCLUSIONS Numerous scenarios can be encountered during robotic-assisted laparoscopic repair of the upper urinary tract. Simple tips and tricks provided in this manuscript and video make robotic reconstruction of the urinary tract possible from the renal calyx to the bladder. UROLOGY 76: 488-493, 2010. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc.