Robotic radical cystectomy and neobladder reconstruction using the Hugo RAS system

440 Background: Conflicting data regarding the oncologic efficacy of robotic surgery has led to concerns for possible inferiority. Despite recent prospective results from the RAZOR trial demonstrating non-inferior progression free survival, results from another prospective randomized trial from Memorial Sloan Kettering suggests a possible difference in the pattern of recurrences. We examined our experience with both open (ORC) and robotic radical cystectomy (RRC) with the objective of establishing recurrence patterns and pathologic comparisons at a high volume tertiary referral center. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study at a high volume academic tertiary referral center for patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer from 2005 to 2017. The surgical choice of RRC or ORC is based on provider preference. A multivariable analysis was carried out to determine factors predictive of recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival after RC. Analysis was done with SAS 9.4. Results: 1813 patients were identified, 10% underwent RRC and no difference in recurrence patterns were found compared to ORC. There was no difference in the severity of pathology distribution between the two cohorts. There was no difference in positive surgical margin status, 2.4% in ORC and 1.1% in RRC. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was seen in 1.1% of ORC and 0.5% in RRC. Shorter RFS was associated with younger age (HR 1.04, 95%CI 1.03-1.05, p<0.001), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR1.55 95%CI 1.32-1.82, p<0.001), higher pathologic stage (stage T4 HR 4.38, 95%CI 3.17-6.06, p<0.001), positive lymph nodes at RC (HR 1.82 95%CI 1.53-2.17, p<0.001) and positive surgical margins (HR 1.50 95%CI 1.19-1.89, p<0.001). At a median follow up of 60 months neither progression free or overall survival for ORC compared to RRC was significantly different. Conclusions: The data from this study supports continued use of RRC as a safe oncologic procedure with similar outcomes to ORC.

Background: Minimally invasive cystectomy is being increasingly performed, however, data comparing laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and robotic radical cystectomy (RRC) are scarce. We compared 30- and 90-day Clavien-Dindo Classification (CDC) complications between patients undergoing LRC and RRC at our center. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 300 patients who underwent minimally invasive radical cystectomy from January 2007 to July 2019 and grouped them into LRC (112 patients) and RRC (188 patients). We compared the two groups for demographic variables, perioperative characteristics, and 30- and 90-day CDC overall, minor, and major complications. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables that predict perioperative complications. Results: The two groups were comparable for the duration of surgery (270 minutes in LRC vs 265 minutes in RRC) and rate of conversion to open surgery. The RRC cohort had a higher estimated blood loss (EBL) (675 mL vs 500 mL, p = 0.006), but the two groups had a comparable need for intraoperative transfusion. Patients undergoing RRC also had a shorter duration of hospital stay (13 days vs 14 days, p < 0.001). There was no difference between the two groups for 30- and 90-day CDC overall, minor, and major complications. The incidence of rehospitalization within 30 days (p = 0.1) and surgical reintervention (p = 0.5) was also comparable between the two groups. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, approach to cystectomy (RRC vs LRC) was not a significant predictor of 30-day CDC overall and major complications. Conclusion: LRC was associated with lesser EBL, whereas the hospital stay was shorter in patients undergoing RRC. The two approaches were comparable with each other for 30- and 90-day CDC overall, minor, and major complications. The choice between the two approaches should depend on availability and surgeon experience and preference, rather than any specific perioperative parameter.

To compare surgical parameters and short-term outcomes between open radical cystectomy (ORC) and robotic radical cystectomy with total intracorporeal urinary diversion (icRARC). Among the study period, 133 patients who underwent ORC and pelvic node dissection for bladder cancer (group 1) were matched and compared to 61 patients who underwent icRARC during the same period (group 2). The groups were matched 1:1 according to their propensity scores adjusted on their baseline demographics and disease characteristics. The main surgical parameters compared were: operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), and postoperative outcomes including time to oral intake, ninety-day complications, readmission rate, and secondary procedures. Overall, 122 patients (61 in each group) were matched and finally analyzed. Although operative times (307 ± 97min vs. 444 ± 113min; p < 0.001) were longer, EBL (948 ± 657ml vs. 357 ± 219ml; p < 0.001) and transfusion rates were lower in the icRARC group. Overall complications were comparable but late complications tended to be lower in the icRARC group (p = 0.06). Readmission rate (54.8% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.01) was higher in the ORC group while secondary procedures (28.6% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.07) also tended to be lower in the robotic approach. Finally, in multivariable logistic regression the icRARC group was not associated with any complications of any grade including grade 3 or higher compared to the open approach. This study comparing open radical cystectomy to robotic radical cystectomy with total intracorporeal urinary diversion demonstrated encouraging outcomes for the minimally invasive management of urothelial carcinoma.

Evaluation of the learning curve associated with robotic radical cystectomy: Initial 100 cases

V5 - Robotic radical cystectomy: NVB sparing technique in the male

60 - Robotic radical cystectomy and intracorporeal urinary diversion: Experience in 17 cases

Radical cystectomy nowadays is the treatment of choice for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Despite many efforts, the overall, cancer-specific survival and complication rate of patients after this procedure has not changed in the last few decades. In the recent years many fast recovery protocols or “fast track” programs have been designed to become the basis of perioperative management after colorectal surgery, vascular, thoracic, and even more recently radical cystectomy [1, 2]. These programs attempt to modify the physiological and psychological responses to major surgery, contributing to the reduction of post- surgical complications and hospital stay, and to the improvement of the cardiopulmonary and bowel function after surgery; this is translated into a faster recovery for patients [3, 4]. Nowadays, there are only a few studies based on the use of fast recovery protocols in urological surgery, this is why the authors of the paper “Alvimopan: A cost-effective tool to decrease cystectomy length of stay” [5] should be congratulated on presenting their experience concerning this topic. Arumainayagam et al. in 2007 implemented a fast recovery protocol which led to a significant reduction in hospital stay and an equivalent reduction in morbidity for patients undergoing radical cystectomy compared with traditional clinical guidelines [1]. The usage of a minimally invasive approach is included in the 22 items of the ERAS society recommendations [4]. Minimally invasive pelvic surgery has been shown to decrease the inflammatory response when compared to the open approach. Recently, laparoscopic and robotic radical cystectomy has been increasingly performed in the treatment of bladder cancer and merits special consideration. While open radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection remain the gold standard in treating non-metastatic muscle invasive bladder cancer, this major surgery is still associated with high morbidity close to 70% in some cases. Numerous centers have reported in the last years their experience with laparoscopic or robotic approach [6]. Unfortunately, most of these studies reported retrospective data or prospective comparative data. Despite these limitations, laparoscopic and robot-assisted radical cystectomy seem to be associated with overall lower perioperative complications, and shorter hospital stay with equivalent short term oncological safety. Future high quality, high volume controlled studies should help in reaching definitive conclusions. Intestinal complications are one of the most common problems after radical cystectomy. The etiology of ileus is multifactorial with a combination of central and peripheral nervous system, hormonal influences, neurotransmitter and local inflammatory pathways. Surgical stress, bowel manipulation, opioids and intraoperative fluids can break the standard homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract and produce postoperative ileus and impaired function of gastrointestinal absorption; so the prevention and management of this complication should be with a multidisciplinary team (Nutrition, Anesthesiology and Urologist). Factors that help to reduce this are epidural anesthesia, minimally invasive surgery, fine tissue manipulation, avoidance of fluid overload, and early oral feeding. In addition, the routine use of nasogastric tube decompression should be avoided after surgery because of the higher incidence of fever, atelectasis and pneumonia in patients who carry it, and if any nasogastric tube is used during surgery it should be removed before extubation. Since 2012 our department has been exercising the application of an “early recovery protocol after surgery” program for patients undergoing laparoscopic radical cystectomy and urinary diversion with the collaboration of the Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department, and the Nutrition Unit of our hospital. We hope to have positive results in the years to come. The usage of fast recovery programs as the presented in this article using the Alvimopan shows that this is a feasible multidisciplinary challenge and is useful in the recovery of patients undergoing radical cystectomy, demonstrated by a shorter hospital stay without the increasing risk of postoperative complications. Future multicenter collaborations evaluating prospective cohorts of urological patients following identical standardized care pathways should be performed.

Is adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer safer in patients with an ileal conduit than a neobladder?: Manoharan M, Reyes MA, Kava BR, Singal R, Kim SS, Soloway, MS, Department of Urology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL

Radical cystectomy (RC) remains a highly morbid urologic procedure, and erectile dysfunction (ED) represents a significant burden for bladder cancer survivors. While inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) offers a definitive treatment option for post-RC ED, the hostile postoperative anatomy of RC patients poses some technical challenges for IPP implantation. We report the case of a 54-year-old male with high grade bladder cancer who was managed with a robotic-assisted RC with Bricker ileal conduit urinary diversion and simultaneous implantation of a 3-piece IPP. Operative time was 310 min (230 min for the RC and ileal conduit portion, 80 min for IPP implantation). Estimated blood loss was 300 ml. Postoperative course was regular. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 6. A robotic RC with concomitant IPP implantation can be offered as “one-step” solution to bladder cancer male patients. This approach can potentially offer the advantage of better outcome in terms of sexual function, while minimizing surgical risks, ultimately improving the quality of life of these patients.

Robotic Radical Cystectomy with Intracorporeal Neobladder: Ready for Prime Time?

MP23-11 PERIOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AFTER RADICAL CYSTECTOMY FOR BLADDER CANCER: AN INTERNATIONAL MULTICENTER COLLABORATION

Radical cystectomy represents the standard of care for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Due to its novelty the use of robotic radical cystectomy (RARC) is still under debate. We examined intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality in addition to impact on length of stay (LOS) and total hospital charges (THCGs) of RARC compared with open radical cystectomy (ORC). Within National Inpatient Sample (2008-2013), we identified patients with nonmetastatic bladder cancer treated with either ORC or RARC. We relied on inverse probability of treatment weighting to reduce the effect of inherent differences between ORC vs RARC. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) and multivariable Poisson regression (MPR) models were used. Of all 10,027 patients, 12.6% underwent RARC. Between 2008 and 2013, RARC rates increased from 0.8% to 20.4% [estimated annual percentage change (EAPC): +26.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI): +11.1 to +48.3; p = 0.035] and RARC THCGs decreased from 45,981 to 31,749 United States dollars (EAPC: -6.8%, 95% CI: -9.6 to -3.9; p = 0.01). In MLR models RARC resulted in lower rates of overall complications [odds ratio (OR): 0.6; p < 0.001] and transfusions (OR: 0.44; p < 0.001). In MPR models, RARC was associated with shorter LOS (relative risk 0.91; p < 0.001). Finally, higher THCGs (OR: 1.09; p < 0.001) were recorded for RARC. Data are retrospective and no tumor characteristics were available. RARC is related to lower rates of overall complications and transfusions rates. In consequence, RARC is a safe and feasible technique in select MIBC patients. Moreover, RARC is associated with shorter LOS, although higher THCGs.

Minimally invasive approaches have been shown to offer considerable benefits to patients in the treatment of urologic malignancies. While open radical cystectomy remains the gold standard for the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer, the continued refinement of laparoscopic techniques and the success of robotic assistance in radical prostatectomy have led to great interest in minimally invasive approaches to radical cystectomy. We review the current experience with laparoscopic and robotic radical cystectomy and its role in the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer.

BackgroundOver the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the use of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with fully intracorporeal urinary diversion. Utilizing data from a single, high-volume institutional database, this study aimed to evaluate and compare perioperative outcomes and complications associated with intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD) versus extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD) following RARC.MethodsThis study included 405 patients with bladder cancer who underwent RARC at our institution between July 2016 and April 2023. Data were retrospectively reviewed and compared between ICUD and ECUD groups. The 90-day major complications (MC90), 90-day overall complications (OC90), and perioperative and pathological outcomes were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using the Pearson chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kaplan-Meier tests, and multivariable regression analysis.ResultsFollowing RARC, 230 patients underwent ICUD and 175 underwent ECUD. No significant differences in demographics or oncological characteristics were observed between the two groups, except for a higher proportion of females in the ICUD group. Notably, ICUD was associated with significantly reduced median operative time (319 min vs. 370 min, p < 0.01) and lower median estimated blood loss (300 ml vs. 500 ml, p < 0.01). Postoperative recovery was faster in the ICUD group. However, the OC90, MC90, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival were comparable between the two groups.ConclusionsCompared with ECUD, ICUD significantly improved perioperative outcomes, including operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative recovery, without compromising long-term oncological survival or complication rates.

Organ sparing radical cystoprostatectomy in males is being considered with skepticism due to fear of compromising oncological safety; however, sacrifice of erectile nerves can lead to quality of life deterioration due to erectile dysfunction. Data from men with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who were potent and wish to preserve potency were collected prospectively. Both nerve-sparing and capsule-sparing approach (with or without seminal vesicle preservation) was performed in a high-volume center. Baseline characteristics, oncological and sexual outcomes were collected. International Index for Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) was used both preoperatively and at last follow-up. Potency was defined as a score ≥3 in question 2. Twenty-five patients were included in capsule-sparing and 15 in nerve-sparing group. Patients in the former group were younger (55 vs. 66 years old) but no other significant difference in baseline characteristics was noted. Perioperative outcomes were similar among groups, whilst no difference was found regarding overall survival, recurrence rate, incidental prostate cancer and positive surgical margins. Postoperative IIEF-5 score was higher in capsule-sparing group (14 vs. 7, P=0.016) and more patients were potent (18 vs. 3, P=0.004). In regression analysis, the only significant predictor of potency was capsule-sparing surgery (odds ratio: 8.58, 95% CI: 1.30-81.5, P=0.034). Capsule-sparing and nerve-sparing approaches during robotic radical cystectomy are feasible techniques among carefully selected patients, with improved sexual and non-inferior oncological outcomes compared with standard approach.