[Robotic surgery in paediatric urology: current status and perspectives].

The increasing experience obtained through laparoscopy has resulted in the evolution of ablative and reconstructive procedures in the field of paediatric urology. Apart from the established methods of laparoscopic nephrectomy and orchidopexy, nowadays laparoscopic hemi-nephrectomy and pyeloplasty have become standard therapeutic surgical alternatives. Nevertheless, many of these procedures require a high level of experience in laparoscopic preparation and stitching techniques and are thus performed in institutions with greater laparoscopic experience. With the introduction and evolution of the robotic-assisted technique and the availability of smaller instruments and ports (8 and 5 mm), there has been an evolution in the spectrum of complex ablative and reconstructive procedures in the field of paediatric urology as well. Nevertheless, there is a lack of randomised trails and the literature available in this area consists manly of case reports. The purpose of this article is to present the current status and perspectives of robotic-assisted surgery in the field of paediatric urology.