Robotic surgery of the kidney and ureter in the pediatric population

Although robotics was adopted earlier for adult urologic surgery, the field of pediatric urology has expanded its use dramatically over the last two decades. Most commonly in children, this new technology is utilized for treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction with laparoscopic pyeloplasty; however its benefits are applicable to almost all surgeries of the kidney and ureter. This is particularly true for pediatric patients in whom working spaces tend to be smaller, tissues more friable, and suture finer. In this chapter we aim to describe techniques, outcomes, and pitfalls for robotic surgery of the upper urinary tract in children.