HEALTH

A New Way to Fix Kidney Blockages in Babies

ChinaSun Jul 06 2025

A recent study examined two surgical methods to treat ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in infants. UPJO occurs when the tube carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder becomes blocked.

Surgeries Compared

  • Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty (LP)
  • Robot-Assisted Single-Port Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty (RSLP)

Both procedures were performed on babies under 12 months old.

Key Findings

Advantages of RSLP

  • Shorter surgery time
  • Faster tube reconstruction
  • Reduced hospital stay post-surgery

Disadvantage of RSLP

  • Higher cost than LP, leading to significantly higher hospital bills.

Conclusion

Both surgeries effectively reduced kidney swelling and improved kidney size. While RSLP is safer and more efficient, its high cost remains a concern.

questions

    How does the learning curve for surgeons performing RSLP affect the outcomes in infants?
    What are the potential risks and complications associated with RSLP that might not be immediately apparent in short-term studies?
    Do the robots performing RSLP ever demand union wages or breaks during surgery?

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