Robot-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal reconstruction of urinary diversion by mechanical stapler: prospective evaluation of early and late complications

Abstract

IntroductionRadical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection is the gold standard treatment for non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer and high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer. For years, the traditional open surgery approach was the only viable option. The widespread of robotic surgery led to its employment also in radical cystectomy to reduce complication rates and improve functional outcomes. Regardless of the type of approach, radical cystectomy is a procedure with high morbidity and not negligible mortality. Data available in the literature show how the use of staplers can offer valid functional outcomes, with an acceptable rate of complications shortening the operative time. The aim of our study was to describe the perioperative outcomes and complications associated with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD) using a mechanical stapler.Material and methodsFrom January 2015 to May 2021, we enrolled patients who underwent RARC with pelvic node dissection and stapled ICUD (ileal conduit or ileal Y-shaped neobladder according to the Perugia ileal neobladder) in our high-volume center. Demographic features, perioperative outcomes and early (≤30 days) and late (>90 days) post-operative complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification, were recorded for each patient. We also analyzed the potential linear correlation between demographic, pre-operative as well as operative features and the risk of post-operative complications.ResultsOverall, 112 patients who underwent RARC with ICUD were included with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Intracorporeal Perugia ileal neobladder was performed in 74.1% of cases while ileal conduit was performed in 25.9%. The mean operative time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, and LOS were 289.1 ± 59.7 min, 390.6 ± 186.2 ml, and 17.5 ± 9.8 days, respectively. Early minor and major complications accounted for 26.7% and 10.8%, respectively. Overall late complications were 40.2%. The late most common complications were hydronephrosis (11.6%) and urinary tract infections (20.5%). Stone reservoir formation occurred in 2.7% of patients. Major complications occurred in 5.4%. In the sub-analysis, the mean operative time and the estimated blood loss improved significantly from the first 56 procedures to the last ones.ConclusionRARC with ICUD performed by mechanical stapler is a safe and effective technique. Stapled Y-shaped neobladder did not increase the complication rate.

Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic radical cystectomy for male octogenarians with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

“…In the first five years of follow-up, 45% of patients had urinary diversion-related complications, and after 15 years of follow-up, this percentage had risen to over 54% [ 63 ]. A recent study reported that the overall late complications of RC were 40.2%, and the most common late complications were hydronephrosis (11.6%) and urinary tract infections (20.5%) [ 64 ]. There are diverse functional complications, including emptying dysfunction, neobladder continence problems, stoma complications in patients with ileal conduit, stenosis of uretero-intestinal anastomosis, urolithiasis, urinary infections, worsening of renal function, metabolic acidosis, and vitamin B12 deficiency [ 65 ].…”