ABSTRACT
The preservation of renal function is one of the most important responsibilities of the urologist. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) can lead to progressive renal compromise, and therefore it is imperative that the urologist recognize if, when, and how to intervene. If repair of the UPJO is indicated, a pyeloplasty provides the urologist with one of the most gratifying surgical experiences in all of urology, and provides the patient with a highly successful and definitive repair. The reported success rates of open pyeloplasty range from 83 to 100%.1-8 Repair cannot recover lost renal function, but it may prevent further deterioration and optimize overall renal function. Recently, minimally invasive approaches to repairing UPJO such as endopyelotomy,9 laparoscopic pyeloplasty,10 and robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty11,12 have gained experience and favor, but the open surgical repair of UPJO remains the gold standard to which all other modalities are compared.
