Robot-assisted laparoscopic lower pole partial nephrectomy in the pediatric patient

Introduction: In pediatric urology, partial nephrectomy is used primarily to remove a non-functioning renal moiety in a duplicated system. There are few data on infants undergoing this procedure. As such, we present a robot-assisted laparoscopic lower pole partial nephrectomy in an infant.

Methods: Our patient was an 11-month-old (10.7 kg) male with a history of prenatal hydronephrosis, who was diagnosed postnatally with a duplicated right collecting system and severe hydroureteronephrosis of the right lower collecting system. A DMSA scan demonstrated no radiotracer uptake in the right lower pole. A robot-assisted laparoscopic lower pole partial nephrectomy was performed.

Results: A lower pole partial nephrectomy was accomplished. At 1 month postoperatively, an ultrasound demonstrated no hydronephrosis or perinephric fluid collection.

Conclusions: Robotic partial nephrectomy is safe and feasible in pediatrics including both older children and infants. It is successful for both upper and lower pole partial nephrectomies.