Laparoscopic transposition of lower pole crossing vessels in children with extrinsic pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction: a worthy alternative to dismembered pyeloplasty

Pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) due to intrinsic or extrinsic causes is a common problem in childhood. Extrinsic compression by a lower pole-crossing blood vessel can present symptomatically in older children. In these cases, laparoscopies Vascular Hitch can represent a valid alternative to pyeloplasty dismembered. We analyzed the data of 4 children affected by extrinsic PUJO treated at our institution with the laparoscopic Vascular Hitch procedure modified by Chapman. Surgical indications included presence of clinical symptoms, worsening of intermittent hydronephrosis, signs of obstruction on the MAG-3 scan, clear or suspected images of polar crossing vessels on CT scan or Uro-MRI. All procedures were completed laparoscopically. No complications occurred. Mean follow-up was 13 months with resolution of symptoms and PUJ obstruction and significant improvement of hydronephrosis in all cases. When blood vessels crossing lower pole represent the pure mechanical cause of UPJ obstruction the laparoscopic Vascular Hitch procedure represents an excellent alternative to dismembered pyeloplasty. It is less technically demanding then pyeloplasty and is associated with a lower complication rate. The main challenge is to intraoperatively ascertain the absence of associated intrinsic stenosis.