In the past, this surgery had always been performed though an incision on the side. With the development of laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, this highly effective procedure can now often be performed through smaller incisions, resulting in decreased pain and quicker recovery.

In addition, the pediatric urologists at Children’s Health can hide the small incisions necessary for the procedure in the belly button or below the underwear line in some patients.

Children with an ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) sometimes need this surgery to correct the poorly draining connection of the ureter to the renal pelvis.

What can I expect before a pediatric robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty?

A robotic pyeloplasty usually involves a one-night hospital stay.

What can I expect during a pediatric robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty?

Your child will be given anesthesia so he or she will sleep during the procedure. One small incision is made in the belly button and two small incisions in the abdomen or below the underwear line to hide those incisions.

A small tube, called a ureteral stent, is left in the ureter for a few weeks during healing. Your physician will monitor the kidney with renal ultrasounds. The procedure will take a few hours and you will be able to be with your child as soon as possible after the procedure. Your child will be discharged one to two days after surgery.

What can I expect after a pediatric robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty?

In some cases, it may be necessary to have a cystoscopy, a short outpatient procedure, to remove the stent. During a cystoscopy, a thin tube is inserted into the urethra in order to grasp and remove the stent. You provider will discuss this further with you following your child's surgery.