Laparoscopic ligation of ectopic ureter in pediatric patients: a safe surgical option for the management of urinary incontinence due to ectopic ureters

Background Ureteric ectopia is a pediatric urinary incontinence cause in girls. It is traditionally managed through hemi-nephrectomy or uretero-ureterostomy, which have the potential for complications including anastomotic stricture, leak, bleeding, and de-vascularization of the functioning renal moiety. Laparoscopic ureteric clipping has been shown to be a good alternative but has not been widely adopted yet. We provide our experience with this technique. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the data of 6 patients who underwent laparoscopic clipping of ectopic ureter between 2014 and 2019. We collected the following information: clinical presentation, preoperative and postoperative imaging, age at presentation, age at surgery, operative time, complications, length of stay, length of follow-up, as well as continence outcomes. Results Five patients were diagnosed with a duplex system associated with an ectopic upper pole ureter. One patient was noted to have a non-functional kidney associated with an ectopic ureter. Median age at presentation was 5 years (6 weeks-9 years), while at surgery was 8 years (2-13 years). Four patients were referred for incontinence, 1 was referred for antenatal hydronephrosis, 1 presented with urosepsis. The preoperative renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter (APD) was 8.60 cm (median) (6.80-8.70 cm). At the post-operative follow-up, the APD increased to median 9.1 cm (6.80-11.50 cm). Median operative time was 91 min (42-60 min). Complications were seen in only one patient who developed an immediate postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI). Five patients were discharged home the same day of the surgery, while the patient who developed UTI went home on post-operative day 3. Median follow-up was 33 months (22-72 months). Currently, all patients have achieved daytime urinary continence. No patient had UTI during the follow-up period. Conclusion Laparoscopic ureteric clipping of the ectopic ureter appears to be a valid alternative to extirpative or reconstructive procedures. Follow-up shows an increase in hydronephrosis without any consequence for the patients. Further studies are necessary to reinforce these observations.