Laparoscopic robot-assisted appendicovesicostomy: an initial experience.

PURPOSE: To describe our initial experience with laparoscopic robot-assisted appendicovesicostomy (LRAA).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We have performed the LRAA in three patients, aged 9, 17, and 45 years. The underlying medical conditions were myelomeningocele, prune-belly syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Adjuvant procedures consisted of extensive lysis of adhesions and a bladder-neck fascial sling.

RESULTS

All procedures were completed intracorporeally. The mean blood loss was 50 mL. The mean operative time was 301 minutes (range 203-362 minutes). The mean hospital stay was 3 days (range 2-4 days). Follow-up ranges from 1 to 8 months. All patients currently catheterize without difficulty and are continent.

CONCLUSIONS

In our initial experience, LRAA is a safe and effective option for creating a continent catheterizable channel into the urinary bladder.