Robotic Pyeloplasty
Urine normally drains from the kidney into a tube that carries the urine down to the bladder called the ureter. This area of drainage is referred to as the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). People can be born with a blockage that progresses later in life or can develop a blockage from stones or scar tissue at the UPJ. Eventually, this condition can lead to the loss of kidney function.
There are many treatments for UPJ Obstruction. The treatments consist of dilating the UPJ, cutting the UPJ with lasers or cautery instruments, or repairing it surgically. The success rates vary from 25% to 95% depending on the form of therapy, with surgical reconstruction giving the best cure rates.
Robotic Pyeloplasty has become the standard of care for UPJ Obstruction. Dr. Savatta was the first urologist to perform Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in the SBHCS in 2003 and converted all his pyeloplasty surgeries to robotic pyeloplasties in 2005. The robotic pyeloplasty gives comparable results to the open version and is performed through several incisions that are only 1/2 inch or less. The high-resolution magnification allows an extremely precise repair.
Dr. Savatta has had patients play competitive basketball 3 weeks after Robotic Pyeloplasty surgery.