[Surgical treatment of ureteropyelic junction stenosis using robotic-assisted laparoscopy]

Abstract

Since the introduction of mini-invasive surgery approximately thirty years ago, Laparoscopic surgery has significantly evolved both in terms of its extended field of application and of the tools used which were diversified and improved. More recently, the development of robotic-assisted laparoscopy has brought, among other improvements, three-dimensional vision, dexterity, and a comfortable working position, which have reduced the surgeon's fatigability, the difficulties related to the operations and the learning curves of standard laparoscopy. Urology, which makes slightly less use of standard laparoscopy than general or gynaecological surgery, largely benefits from robotics concerning the precision of movements, and has much increased the operating indications of laparoscopy, including the treatment of pyeloureteral junction, kidney tumourectomy, living donor nephrectomy and radical prostactectomy. This chapter describes the operative technique used for the treatment of the ureteropyelic junction stenosis by robotic-assisted laparoscopy, as carried out in Nancy University Hospital with the da Vinci robot (Intuitive Surgical).