The role of laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is well established in the operative armamentarium of renal surgery and has also extended to the resection of benign and malignant renal neoplasms. Despite growing evidence advocating conservative management of renal trauma, the role of LN in the management of renal trauma is not well defined. Thus, a systematic review was conducted to better define the role of LN in the subgroup of renal trauma patients requiring operative nephrectomy. In accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was performed (March 2020), using the following databases: Cochrane library of systematic reviews, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and web of science. Included studies were further assessed for relevance and quality using the Oxford 2010 critical appraisal skills program (CASP). A total of 620 studies were identified, non-relevant and non-English articles were excluded which resulted in 4 relevant articles being included. Due to a relative lack of data, case reports and case series were also included. The role of LN is a viable option in a select group of cases when operative intervention is already planned for advanced renal injury. The special considerations and relative contraindications to laparoscopy must be adhered to when selecting this modality in the setting of renal trauma. Future prospective studies are required to better define this relationship.

Background The role of the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) in the follow-up of children with posterior urethral valves (PUVs) post-ablation has been considered a standard practice. The urethral ratio and gradient of change have proven to be useful. Objectives We aimed to review the role of the ‘ideal’ ratio on predicting residual PUV post-ablation. Methods A systematic review of the PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases was performed (April 2019). The search terms included ‘Urethral Ratio and Posterior urethral valve ablation’. All cited reference lists were further evaluated for additional inclusive studies. Results Eleven studies were identified, of which nine were relevant to the topic. Case reports, comments and adult and animal studies were excluded, leaving four studies for critical review. In total, 338 patients were assessed. The control group consisted of 167 age-matched, male children. Study regions included India and Australia. The ages ranged from 15 days to 3.4 years. Ablation methods included the use of a resectoscope with cutting diathermy, cold knife or Bugbee electrode. The mean urethral ratios in the control group ranged from 1.04 to 1.73. The suggested predictive urethral cut-off ratios recommended include 2.2 ( p = 0.001), 2.5–3 and 3.5. Conclusion Although the precise cut-off ratio could not be clearly defined in this review, a urethral ratio less than a range of 2.2–3.5 has proven to be a beneficial predictor of ablation success and should thus be incorporated into standard VCUG reporting templates in the follow-up of PUVs in male children in resource-limited settings.