Completely intracorporeal robotic-assisted laparoscopic ileovesicostomy: initial results

Abstract

We present a series of robotic-assisted laparoscopic ileovesicostomies with bowel work performed completely intracorporeally. The four patients selected for this procedure were all diagnosed with neurogenic bladder and failed conservative medical therapy. Preoperative patient data included age, body mass index (BMI), and urodynamic (UD) study results. Intra-operative data included estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, and intra-operative complications. Post-operative data included return to bowel function, post-operative complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS). All bowel work was completed intracorporeally with the exception of stoma maturation. Four robotic ileovesicostomies were performed. Pre-operative urodynamic study results showed either elevated detrusor pressures or limited bladder capacities in addition to the inability to perform self-catheterization. The mean patient age was 40 years and mean BMI was 26 kg/m2. Average EBL and operative time were 131 ml and 290 min, respectively. No intra-operative complications occurred. Bowel function, as defined as flatus, returned on average 3.8 days after surgery and average LOS, defined as discharge home or discharge to the spinal cord unit, was 7.5 days. Mean follow-up time was 25.8 months. Post-operative urodynamic studies revealed low stomal leak point pressure (<10 cmH2O). This study is the first to describe a completely intracorporeally robotic-assisted laparoscopic ileovesicostomy with safe and effective outcomes after more than 2 years of follow-up.