Background and Purpose: Open dismembered pyeloplasty by a retroperitoneal approach remains the reference standard for correcting ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction in children. We prospectively compared the results of laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty in children with UPJ obstruction. Patients and Methods: During the period April 2003 to March 2005, 15 children underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty and 14 children underwent open pyeloplasty. The two groups were similar in age and mean weight. We prospectively analyzed and compared operative time, postoperative pain and activity, complications, and hospital stay in the two groups. The mean follow-up was 23 and 24 months in the laparoscopy and open surgery group, respectively. Results: The mean operative time was significantly shorter in the open surgery group (159 ± 21.39 [SD] v 214 ± 32.26 minutes; P = 5.874 × 10⁻⁶). Postoperative discomfort/pain on day 7 was significantly less in the laparoscopic group, and the mean hospital stay was significantly shorter (P = 0.018019). Conclusions: The benefits of laparoscopic pyeloplasty include a high reproducible success rate comparable to the results achieved by open pyeloplasty. Our results indicate minimal morbidity such as pain and a quick return to normal activities. The hospital stay is significantly reduced, although the operative times are long compared with open pyeloplasty.

Purpose: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction remains the most common obstructive uropathy in children. Although laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty was described in a child in 1993, there h...

Iation of diabetes mellitus with kidney stones in patients undergoing surgical treatment. Materials and Methods: Patients presenting with renal stones for surgical management formed the study group. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by noting the weight and height of the patient. The extracted stone/stone fragments were analyzed to determine the chemical composition. Urinary pH was similarly noted in all. Results: The mean BMI among the diabetics was 26.35 ± 5.20 (range 17.75-35.60), whereas the mean BMI among the non-diabetics was 23.41 ± 2.85 (range 17.71-31.62) (P < 0.0004). The incidence of uric acid calculi in the diabetics was significantly high (P < 0.03). The mean urinary pH among the diabetics was 5.61 ± 0.36 and among the non-diabetics was 6.87 ± 0.32, which was significantly lower (P < 0.000044). Conclusions: There is a strong association between type 2 diabetes and uric acid stone formation. There is also a strong association between diabetes mellitus, BMI, and also with lower urinary pH....