This review aims at evaluating the current status of minimally invasive surgery at the difficult crossroad between the attractiveness of innovation faced against the solid outcomes offered by the current gold standard, specifically concerning pediatric and adolescent urologic oncology conditions.
This is a critical review of the literature and current paradigms on the use of minimally invasive surgery for pediatric and adolescent urologic oncology cancers. Focus is mainly on the use of laparoscopy for the treatment of Wilms' tumors but other neoplasms are also discussed.
We draw parallels with other similar pathologies, respecting critical lessons from international cooperative study groups. We discuss various aspects of the pros and cons of minimally invasive surgery in this patient population and make a case for the development of dedicated pediatric surgeons for urologic cancer.
Herein we draft a proposal suggesting a way forward with the adoption of reasonable paradigm shifts founded on carefully conducted studies for the introduction of minimally invasive surgery in the care of pediatric and adolescent urologic cancer.
Urology. 2016 May [Epub]
Armando J Lorenzo, Rodrigo L P Romao
Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ., Division of Urology, IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Division of Pediatric General Surgery, IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.