“Pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy (RALIMA): feasibility of and initial experience with the University of Chicago technique.”
Gundeti, M. S., S. S. Acharya, et al. (2010).
BJU International.
Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE: * To present the first series of complete intracorporeal robotic-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendico-vesicostomy (RALIMA) in a pediatric population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: * From February to November 2008, six patients with neurogenic bladder secondary to spina bifida (status post corrective spine surgery) were selected to undergo RALIMA by a single surgeon (MSG) at the University of Chicago Medical Center. * Patients had constipation, day and night-time incontinence, with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), and failed attempts at anticholinergic therapy and clean intermittent catheterization. All had low-capacity bladders with poor compliance and high leak point pressures. * Preoperative bowel preparation was not performed. Mean follow-up is 18 months. RESULTS: * One patient required conversion to open ileal augmentation because of failure to progress and another underwent augmentation ileocystoplasty without appendico-vesicostomy. The average age of patients was 9.75 years (range 8-11 years). * Average operative time was 8.4 h (range 6-11 h). There were no intraoperative complications. One patient had a postoperative wound infection, one had a lower extremity venous thrombus, and another had temporary unilateral lower extremity paresthesia that has resolved. Three patients required revision of their stoma at the skin-level. * Perioperatively, patients only required oral analgesia for 24-36 h (excluding one patient with paralytic ileus), started on liquid diet after 7.5 hours (range 6-10 h), on regular diet after 24 h (range 12-36 h) and were discharged home within 7 days. * Postoperatively, patients demonstrated no leak on follow-up cystogram, and were catheterizing per apendico-vesicostomy (three patients by 6 weeks) or urethra (1 patient at 4 weeks). * All patients now have day and night-time continence with no UTIs, and bladder capacity of 250-450 mL. CONCLUSION: * While longer follow-up will be necessary to see if these results are durable, this series demonstrates that RALIMA is a safe, feasible and effective procedure in the short term, with the possible added benefits of reduced analgesia, shorter recovery time and improved aesthetic appearance.