The laparoscopic pyeloplasty: is there a role in the age of robotics?

Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a common anomaly, and presents clinically in all pediatric age groups. The past 3 decades have witnessed an evolution in the surgical correction of UPJ obstruction on several fronts, with open surgical techniques yielding way to endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted approaches. Robotic-assisted surgery has several advantages in complex laparoscopic reconstructive procedures such as pyeloplasty. Comparative studies of laparoscopic and robot-assisted repairs have demonstrated similar success rates. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is here to stay because of its advantages of safety, efficacy, decreased morbidity, reduced hospital stay, and, perhaps most importantly, cost-effectiveness.