A Comparative Analysis of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Pediatric and Adult Patients: Does Age Matter?

We investigated factors that affect the surgical outcomes of robotic pyeloplasty by comparing the surgical results of pediatric and adult patients with ureteropelvic junction stricture (UPJO). We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent robotic pyeloplasty for UPJO between January 2013 and February 2022. The patients were categorized into two groups: the pediatric (≤18 years) and adult (>18 years) groups. The perioperative and postoperative outcomes and surgical complications were comparatively analyzed. Prognostic factors for predicting surgical failure were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression analysis. The pediatric group showed longer total operation and console times. The mean pain score was lower in the pediatric group than in the adult group on days 1 and 2 after surgery. The average amount of morphine used in the pediatric group was lower during postoperative days 0-2. No differences in the length of hospital stay, incidence of surgical failure, and incidence of urolithiasis requiring treatment after robotic pyeloplasty were observed between the groups. The only factor that predicted surgical failure was a history of urolithiasis before surgery. The results showed that age did not affect the surgical outcome.