OBJECTIVETo report our experience with a laparoscopic approach to managing symptomatic urachal anomalies. PATIENTS AND METHODSFive patients (median age 19 years, range 2-43) had a laparoscopic excision of a complicated urachal remnant between 2001 and 2004. Three ports were routinely used, although their positioning varied as our technique developed with experience. The urachal remnant was dissected from the umbilicus to the bladder dome and then removed intact. RESULTSAll five operations had no serious immediate complications and minimal blood loss. One patient developed a small peri-umbilical haematoma after surgery and another had a persistent umbilical discharge at follow-up, and required open excision of residual remnant tissue. CONCLUSIONSThe laparoscopic approach appears to be a safe and effective alternative to open surgery for this condition. Despite the slight risk of incomplete excision, the reduced morbidity of this procedure and better cosmetic result would appear advantageous.

haematuria, rectal bleeding and haematospermia were recorded. The questionnaire also directed the patient to record fevers, use of analgesia and any further treatment received. RESULTSIn all, 36 patients took aspirin whilst the other 141 did not. There were no major complications in either group. Of the patients on aspirin, 20 (56%) had haematuria, compared with 83 (59%) of those not taking aspirin (difference 3%, 95% confidence interval, CI, -15 to 21). Overall bleeding (haematuria, rectal bleeding and haematospermia) occurred in 22 patients (61%) of the aspirin group and 105 (74%) of the other group (difference 13%, 95% CI -4 to 31). Comparisons of other morbidities between the groups are also discussed. CONCLUSIONSThere was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of haematuria or overall bleeding after biopsy between the groups. There is no evidence that aspirin needs to be discontinued before sextant prostate biopsy.

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Aim:To review the results of our first 40 cases of retroperitoneal dismembered pyeloplasty and to compare them with series of open and other minimally invasive treatments of pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction. Also to compare our first 20 cases with the second 20 cases to see if there was an improvement in results with experience. Methods: A retrospective review of the first 40 laparoscopic pyeloplasties performed by a single lead surgeon at two institutions was performed. The diagnosis of PUJ obstruction was confirmed with an intravenous urogram as well as a renogram prior to surgery. A retroperitoneal, dismembered pyeloplasty was routinely performed with three or four ports. All patients were followed up with an intravenous urogram, renogram and review of symptoms at 4 months and annual renogram after that. Results: Average operation time was 236 min and this appeared to decrease with experience. Two cases had to be converted to open operations. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. Out of the 40 patients, 34 have had successful laparoscopic operations with total symptomatic relief as well as radiologically proven deobstruction. There were four major complications with 3 patients going on to have redo open pyeloplasty operations. There were seven minor complications. Conclusions: In our experience, retroperitoneal dismembered pyeloplasty is an effective and safe means of treating PUJ obstruction. Our results seem to be comparable with series of open pyeloplasty and other laparoscopic series and are better than some other minimally invasive techniques.