Outcome Analysis of Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephrectomy in Children: Experience from a Developing Country.

Objective: To analyse the outcome of laparoscopic nephrectomy among children.

Study design: An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Paediatric Urology, Children's Hospital Lahore, from September 2021 to June 2023.

Methodology: During the study, 100 children aged 5-180 months were included. Data regarding age, gender, cause, side, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes such as number of ports, estimated blood loss, need of transfusion, operative time, hospital stay, analgaesia requirement and complications were recorded. Data were collected through proforma which were entered and analysed through computer software SPSS version 16.0.

Results: Among 100 children, 58.0% were males and the mean age was 79.54 ± 4.427 months while the major cause of laparoscopic nephrectomy was PUJO (Pelvi-Ureteric Junction Obstruction) for 47.0% of children. The mean blood loss was 19.93 ± 65.556 ml and the majority of the children (96.0%) did not require blood transfusion. The mean operative time was 125.31 ± 43.365 minutes and the mean hospital stay was 2.82 ± 1.258 days. Most of the children (90.0%) had no complications while 3.0% had ileus which was managed conservatively and 3.0% were converted to open surgery while 4.0% had wound infection.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is an effective technique with regard to insignificant blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, and rate of complications.

Key words: Laparoscopy, Nephrectomy, Children, Operative time, Hospital stay, Complications.