Robotic surgery for neuropathic bladder

Abstract

The cutting age application of robotic techniques is arguably intracorporeal pediatric bladder augmentation. While high volume centers are beginning to gain experience in intracorporeal bladder surgery in adults for oncologic applications, pediatric surgeons must apply these techniques in extremely small working spaces and in patients with complex anatomy or surgical history. Long-term results have yet to be reported, but with 5–8 year follow-up, the technique appears to have similar results to traditional open techniques. Larger, multi-center studies are required to confirm safety and effectiveness prior to widespread adoption of this complex technique. Bladder augmentation is often performed with catheterizable channels, bladder neck reconstructions and antegrade colonic enema surgery; as such a brief discussion of these topics is also pertinent to this discussion.