Robot-assisted right ureteral polypectomy: A case report

Abstract

Ureteral polyps are a rare cause of ureteral obstruction in the adult and pediatric populations. Fibroepitheial polyps (FEP) are the most common type of ureteral polyps. This clinical entity is very rare, warranting periodic clinical review by practitioners, and new advancements in laparoscopy allow new surgical approaches to its cure. We present the case of a 20-year-old male with rightsided flank pain. He was found to have right uretero-pelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and subsequently underwent laparoscopic robotic-assisted right collecting system exploration, excision of polyps and right ureteropyeloplasty. Ureteral polyps were excised and determined to be fibroepithelial in origin based on the pathological report. Our case highlights the importance of having FEP in the differential diagnosis of ureteral obstruction. We also found that laparoscopic robot-assisted polypectomy is a safe and acceptable surgical option for the excision of ureteral polyps.

Ureteral fibroepithelial polyp: A diagnostic challenge

“…A total of 236 total cases were documented between 1932 and 2013. 1 However, diagnosis of UFP has gradually increased over the last two decades, likely as a result of improved access to investigative endoscopic methods.…”

Treating Giant Ureteral Fibroepithelial Polyp: A Case Report Using an Endoscopic Approach

“…Multiple, wide, and long polyps can be successfully treated laparoscopically (16). A case in which a polyp excision was performed through robot-assisted laparoscopy has recently been published (17). Our case was treated with a semi-rigid ureterorenoscope using holmium laser, and the kidney pelvis was controlled with flexible urethrorenoscopy.…”

Robotic surgery in pediatric urology

“…Most recently, a bi-institutional comparison of robotic assisted laparoscopic vs. open ureteroureterostomy for duplex systems was published showing similar operative times and estimated blood loss, along with similar complication rates with four patients in each group experiencing febrile urinary tract infections and one patient in the open group experiencing post-operative ureterovesical junction obstruction [33] . Robotic excision of ureteral polyps with repair has also been reported [34] .…”