Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using the LigaSure vessel sealing
system (Valleylab, Boulder, CO) in laparoscopic transperitoneal vs. open retroperitoneal heminephroureterectomy
in children.
Materials and Methods: Seven consecutive patients with impaired renal duplex systems underwent
laparoscopic heminephroureterectomies using LigaSure between April 2003 and April 2005. The
operative time, complications, and hospital stay were analyzed prospectively. The data of 7 consecutive
patients who had undergone open retroperitoneal heminephroureterectomy from 2001 to 2003
were analyzed for comparison purposes. The mean ages, underlying disease, and location of the affected
kidney pole were not significantly different between these groups.
Results: There were no intraoperative complications during laparoscopic heminephroureterectomy
and all procedures were completed laparoscopically. The mean operative time of 144 minutes
(range, 90–210 minutes) for laparoscopic heminephroureterectomy was somewhat longer than in
open heminephroureterectomy-mean time 110 minutes (range, 60–165 minutes) (P = 0.5). Complications
of open retroperitoneal heminephroureterectomy included bleeding of the surface of the remaining
kidney pole in one patient, requiring extensive hemostatic suturing. Postoperative recovery
was uneventful in all laparoscopic procedures, whereas intermittent retention of urine was
noticed in one patient undergoing the open procedure.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic heminephroureterectomy using LigaSure is feasible in children and has
a similar operative time compared to conventional heminephroureterectomy.
