7/24/2026

​​​​​Members of the UHN and SickKids teams in an operating room at UHN's Toronto General Hospital. (UHN)​

Summary

  • A UHN-SickKids partnership is giving adolescent patients access to robotic-assisted pyeloplasty at Toronto General Hospital, combining UHN’s robotic surgery expertise with SickKids’ specialized pediatric care.
  • The minimally invasive approach can shorten surgery times, improve precision and support faster recovery, while creating a collaborative model for pediatric robotic surgery across institutions.

​Adolescent patients undergoing pyeloplasty will have access to advanced, robotic-assisted urologic care at Toronto General Hospital through a partnership between University Health Network (UHN) and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). 

The expertise of both teams is leading to safer, quicker operations and improved recoveries for patients diagnosed with a blockage affecting the kidney and bladder. The minimally invasive surgery involves unblocking one or both ureters to allow urine to drain to the bladder instead of staying in the kidney, where it can cause damage.   

“This partnership reflects what’s possible when we bring together complementary expertise across institutions,” says Dr. Sami Chadi, colorectal surgeon and Robotic Surgery Program co-lead at UHN’s Sprott Department of Surgery​.  

“By combining advanced robotics with specialized pediatric care, we’re expanding access to minimally invasive options for adolescents across Ontario and Canada.” 

As a leader in robotic surgery, UHN has advanced minimally invasive approaches to surgical care that enhance precision and reduce recovery time. 

Pyeloplasty is typically performed via laparoscopy, which can take four to five hours. With the robot assisting to remove the narrowing of the ureter and suturing after, the surgery can be shortened to two hours or less.  

The procedure is safer for patients thanks to a more detailed, three-dimensional view provided by the robotic equipment, and patients can recover faster because the procedure creates smaller incisions. ​​

Dr. Michael Chua, Director of the SickKids Urology Program, in the operating room at UHN's Toronto General Hospital. (UHN)​

​The surgery will be available to adolescent patients based on age and other factors, underscoring SickKids' commitment to individualized care through the Precision Child Health movement​. Patients receive post-operative care at SickKids. 

“This is a great step forward to provide improved care,” says Dr. Armando Lorenzo, head of SickKids’ Division of Urology.  

“It’s a good combination of better patient care, using technology appropriately and taking advantage of our partnerships with the hospitals around us.” 

​Advancing robotic surgery at UHN 

Partnering with SickKids allows UHN’s Sprott Department of Surgery, home of Canada’s largest robotic surgery program, to reach even more patients with safer, more precise surgical care and furthering opportunities for integrated pediatric robotic surgery programs. ​

“This is an important step in building a collaborative approach for pediatric robotic surgery,” says Alexandra Boasie, Director of Transformation and Quality, and Robotic Surgery Program co-lead at the Sprott Department of Surgery. 

​“We’re proud to work alongside SickKids to advance innovation and deliver high-quality, patient-centred care for adolescents and their families.” 

The partnership is a collaborative learning model for surgeons and nurses, with each specially trained on the robot. Kate Mlacak, a registered nurse and Robotics Patient Care Coordinator, and Alexandra Paris and Megan Renaud, advanced practice nurse educators, support nurse training as part of UHN’s Robotic Surgery Program. 

​Dr. Michael Chua, Director of SickKids Urology Program, and urology senior fellows Dr. Julie Wong and Dr. Fabio Botelho are also part of the team performing the procedure and operating the robot alongside clinical staff from UHN’s Toronto General Hospital. ​

​“This relaunch reflects the power of cross-institutional collaboration, thoughtful planning and multidisciplinary teamwork,” says Dr. Chua, who is also the hospital’s clinical lead on the relaunch.  

“As the partnership between SickKids Urology and UHN moves forward, it sets the stage for continued innovation in robotic surgery, education and patient-centred care.” 

It also highlights the benefits and opportunities of a collaborative approach to robotic-assisted surgical care. 

​“The partnership isn’t just a matter of having equipment. It’s having a whole team that works together to use the robot effectively, from surgeons to nurses and anesthesiologists,” says Dr. Abhaya Kulkarni, Surgeon-in-Chief at SickKids. ​

More on robotic surgery at UHN:

 

 

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