Robot-assisted excision of urachal cyst: case report in a child

Abstract Background The urachus is an embryological structure of the urogenital sinus and allantoid that connects the allantois to the early bladder in fetal life and then remains as the median umbilical ligament connecting the umbilicus to the dome of the bladder. An early laparoscopic procedure co...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Salvatore Arena, Marta Rossanese, Donatella Di Fabrizio, Carmelo Romeo, Vincenzo Ficarra, Pietro Impellizzeri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2021-05-01
Series:Annals of Pediatric Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43159-021-00082-y
Description
Summary:Abstract Background The urachus is an embryological structure of the urogenital sinus and allantoid that connects the allantois to the early bladder in fetal life and then remains as the median umbilical ligament connecting the umbilicus to the dome of the bladder. An early laparoscopic procedure could trigger a quiescent urachal remnant to become symptomatic, causing a lesion or infection either during carbon oxide contamination or insufflation or a periumbilical or suprapubic port placement. Case presentation A 15-year-old girl complaining of supra-pubic abdominal pain. About 2 months previously, she had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis, and early postoperative period was uneventful. She underwent a robotic-assisted excision of a urachal cyst. Conclusions It has been suggested that early laparoscopic procedures could trigger previously asymptomatic urachal remnants to become symptomatic. Robot-assisted excision of a urachal cyst is a safe, effective alternative to open surgery in children.
ISSN:2090-5394