Total intracorporeal robotic cystectomy: Are we there yet?

Justin W. Collins, Peter N. Wiklund, Mihir M. Desai, Alvin C. Goh, Inderbir S. Gill

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide discussion on several recently published case series describing complete intracorporeal robotic cystectomy. Are we making a complex and expensive procedure more challenging or are there patient benefits to be realized from a complete minimally invasive approach? We discuss how effective and cost-efficient a complete intracorporeal approach is, review the updates and comment on the future direction of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). RECENT FINDINGS: Several centers have recently reported a series of RARC with intracorporeal urinary diversion. Baseline demographics, complication rates and oncological outcome data were comparable to previously published open radical cystectomy series, as well as robotic cystectomy with extracorporeal urinary diversion series. In centers experienced in robotics, comparable outcomes were achieved early in the series with no significant difference in lymph node yields, positive surgical margin rates or complication rates. However, operation times and patientEˆs length of stay (LOS) continued to improve, suggesting that aspect of the learning curve is longer than previously thought. Benefits such as decreased blood loss and reduced LOS, commonly associated with minimally invasive surgery, were seen and while costs of RARC remain prohibitive, reducing operative times and LOS will improve cost analysis. SUMMARY: RARC with totally intracorporeal urinary diversion is technically feasible with good early and intermediate-term oncological and complication rate results. High-volume centers with expertise can deliver a complete intracorporeal robotic cystectomy with no increase in the complication rates or additional costs compared to RARC with extracorporeal urinary diversion. Further long-term oncological and functional data and the results of prospective randomized controlled trials are both pending to confirm these findings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)135-140
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Opinion in Urology
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2013

Keywords

  • cystectomy
  • intracorporeal neobladder
  • intracorporeal urinary diversion
  • robotic-assisted

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Urology

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