Robotic dismembered pyeloplasty is a surgery that corrects a kidney ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

A robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for correcting a kidney ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The procedure utilizes a robotic system  to assist in the manipulation of the laparoscopic instruments.

What are the advantages of Robotic Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty?

There are several advantages of robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty over traditional open pyeloplasty or even non-robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty:

• Reduced hospital stay (one day in younger, healthy patients) and faster healing
• Less postoperative pain and less need for pain medication
• Quicker return to normal activity and work
• Smaller incisions and less scarring

Why Would Someone Need a Robotic Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty?

Robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty is used for patients with ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction of the kidney. UPJ obstruction is a condition where part of the kidney is blocked, typically at the renal pelvis. 

As a result, the flow of urine from the kidney is slowed or entirely stopped. This blockage allows urine to build up and cause damage to the kidney.

Robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to correct UPJ obstruction. 

What Happens Before a Robotic Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty?

Before your robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty, your doctor will discuss what medication you need to discontinue. Typically, most patients are asked to stop taking aspirin, NSAIDS (including Advil, Ibuprofen, and Aleve) or other blood thinning medications at least a week prior to surgery to decrease bleeding risk. Because certain herbal medications or supplements also increase risk of bleeding during surgery, your doctor will advise you which supplements to cease using before surgery. Ask your doctor about using other medications such as antibiotics or blood pressure medication prior to surgery. Do not discontinue any medication without being advised by your doctor to do so.

Your doctor will also ask you to stop smoking. Besides the negative health consequences that smoking has, smoking can lead to higher risks both during and after surgery. Tobacco has been proven to slow down the healing process and decrease the effectiveness of the immune system.

Your diet will have to change the day prior to surgery most doctors recommend that you should follow a clear liquid diet starting the morning before your surgery.This includes juices without pulp, soup broth, and Jell-O.

It is also important to arrange for someone to care for you after surgery as returning to normal activity is not recommended immediately after surgery.

What Happens During a Robotic Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty?

Unlike a conventional open pyeloplasty, robotic laparoscopic surgery requires only several small incisions. Through these incisions, a surgeon uses a powerful endoscope – a tiny camera – and specialized surgical instruments to conduct the operation and repair the kidney.

How long does robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty take?

Surgery takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, and the hospital stay is usually just overnight.

What Happens After a Robotic Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty?

After your robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty, you’ll be guided into a recovery room where nurses will monitor your condition until you are awake and stable. You’ll be given medication for pain as needed (some patients will have an epidural, others will receive narcotics as needed, depending on the patient).

Our expert staff will provide you with Intravenous (IV) fluids to provide you nutrition until your digestive track recovers enough to take solid food. If you eat or drink too soon after surgery, you can experience nausea, vomiting, or other side effects. Our nurses will encourage you to sit up and to walk around as soon as possible after surgery. Doing so has several benefits. It encourages blood flow (which helps healing and prevents blood clots) and promotes oxygen flow (to prevent pneumonia and help healing).

After you are cleared to go home you’ll be prescribed medication to manage pain, treat potential constipation, and to prevent infections (antibiotics).