Minimally Invasive Pediatric Urology Surgery

Our pediatric urology team will determine the best type of surgery for your child based on your child’s thorough exam, medical history and diagnosis. Many urological conditions are now diagnosed and treated with minimally invasive techniques. Robotic-assisted surgery is typically used when a complex reconstruction such as pyeloplasty (kidney outflow obstruction), cystoplasty (bladder augmentation) or Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy (catheterize channel to empty bladder).

All surgeries involve risks such as bleeding, infection and injury to nearby organs. The risk of complications with minimally invasive surgery is lower than with open surgery. Surgeons at Comer Children’s are very experienced in minimally invasive surgery for children.

Reconstruction of penile and genitalia anomalies, except intra-abdominal and impalpable testis, requires open surgery. Urologic surgery for most newborns is also done by the open approach because the small size of these patients necessitates a view of the full surgical area.

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to inspect body organs using a probe that is inserted into natural body openings. Images from a tiny camera on the end of the probe are projected on a video screen. Endoscopy is used for diagnosing conditions of the bladder, ureter and kidneys.

In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes two to three small (1/4 to 1/2 inch) incisions in the abdominal skin or posterior abdominal wall. These keyhole openings allow for the insertion of small surgical instruments to be placed in the abdominal cavity. A tiny camera at the tip of the instruments allows the surgeon to view the operating field. Laparoscopy is generally done under general anesthesia.