A case of retrocaval ureter with robot‐assisted ureteral reconstruction

Abstract

Introduction Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital anomaly that causes ureteral obstruction. Because of the rarity of retrocaval ureter, only a few cases of open, laparoscopic, or robot‐assisted surgery have been reported. We herein report a case of retrocaval ureter that was successfully reconstructed with robot‐assisted surgery. Case presentation A 24‐year‐old woman was incidentally diagnosed with right hydronephrosis on ultrasonography. Computed tomography revealed retrocaval ureter, and the right hydronephrosis was attributed to the retrocaval ureter. The patient underwent robot‐assisted right ureteral reconstruction in the left lateral decubitus position. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred, and no right hydronephrosis was observed 6 months after the operation. Conclusion The present case demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of robot‐assisted ureteral reconstruction for retrocaval ureter.

Keywords

• hydronephrosis
• retrocaval ureter
• robot‐assisted ureteral reconstruction
• robotic surgery
• ureteroureteral anastomosis