ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Surg.
Sec. Pediatric Urology
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1681854
Single-center results from the first 100 robotic ureteral reimplantation in children: analysis of learning curve effects
Provisionally accepted- 1Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- 2Universita degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
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Introduction Robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) is increasingly utilized in pediatric urology, yet outcomes vary widely and the learning curve remains under-investigated. This study aims to evaluate perioperative outcomes and learning curve progression during the first 100 pediatric RALUR procedures performed by a single surgeon. Methods A prospective, single-center study was conducted on 100 RALUR procedures in 96 pediatric patients between May 2020 and May 2025. The cohort was divided into two groups (first 50 cases vs. second 50) to assess the impact of surgical experience on outcomes. Surgical techniques included both dismembered (D-RALUR) and non-dismembered (ND-RALUR) approaches based on anatomical indications. Clinical data, complications and outcomes were recorded. Results Success rates improved significantly from 66% in Group A to 84% in Group B (p=0.04). Postoperative vesicoureteral reflux occurred in 28% of Group A vs. 10% in Group B (p=0.02). Complication rates decreased from 18% to 12%, with no conversions to open surgery in either group. The need for opioid analgesia was significantly lower in Group B (4% vs. 14%, p=0.04). Our analysis showed a decreasing trend in both failure and complication rates, reflecting progressive improvement in surgical proficiency. RALUR was safely applied to increasingly complex cases, including redo surgeries and anatomical anomalies. Discussion RALUR is a safe and effective technique for ureteral reimplantation in children, even in complex or redo cases. Surgical outcomes improved with experience, underscoring a manageable learning curve. The implementation of standardized techniques and increased surgeon expertise contributed to enhanced success rates and reduced morbidity. These findings support early integration of robotic training in pediatric urology and the broader adoption of RALUR in centers with appropriate expertise.
Keywords: robotic surgery, Ureteral reimplantation, Learning Curve, Pediatric robotic surgery, Uretero-vesical junction
Received: 08 Aug 2025; Accepted: 02 Oct 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 MATTIOLI, Brenco, Fanti, Rotondi, Verrina, PIAGGIO, Damasio, Carlucci and Fiorenza. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Gaia Brenco, brenco.gaia@gmail.com
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