WOFAPS 2025 8th World Congress of Pediatric Surgery

AHMET ENES KARTAL ¹, Abdurrahman Urve Uzun ¹, Mehmet Bahadır Çalışkan ¹, Sevim Ecem Ünlü Ballı ¹, Gökhan Berktuğ Bahadır ¹, Bilge Gördü ¹, Fatma Bilgecan Şimşek ¹, Ömer Barış Yücel ², İlhami Sürer ¹, Suzi Demirbağ ¹

¹ Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery
² Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatric Urology

Objective:

The aim of this study was to share the robotic surgical techniques applied to three pediatric cases with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and bladder diverticulum, which were evaluated due to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Materials and Methods:

Three male patients aged three, five, and seven presented with a history of recurrent UTIs. Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) revealed vesicoureteral reflux and Hutch-type bladder diverticulum in all three patients. One patient additionally had a right VUR along with a urethral diverticulum. All patients underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulum excision and ureteral reimplantation.

Results:

Robotic surgery enabled diverticulum excision and ureteral reimplantation without the need to open the bladder. No serious complications were observed in the patients during the postoperative period. All cases were mobilized early and discharged with short hospital stays. No recurrence of infection was observed during postoperative follow-ups.

Conclusion:

Robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy is less invasive than open surgery and offers advantages such as low morbidity, short hospital stays, and rapid recovery. Consistent with the literature, this case series supports the robotic approach as a safe and effective option in pediatric patients. We aimed to share the technical details of robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy surgery and the key points to consider during surgery.