Robot-sewn ileoileal anastomosis during robot-assisted cystectomy

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

Introduction

Radical 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 methods

From 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.

Results

Overall, 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.

Conclusion

RARC with ICUD performed by mechanical stapler is a safe and effective technique. Stapled Y-shaped neobladder did not increase the complication rate.

Stapled versus robot-sewn ileo-ileal anastomosis during robot-assisted radical cystectomy: a review of outcomes in urinary bladder cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Whereas the literature has demonstrated an acceptable safety profile of stapled anastomoses when compared to the hand-sewn alternative in open surgery, the choice of intestinal anastomosis using sutures or staples remains inadequately investigated in robotic surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of both anastomotic techniques in robotic-assisted radical cystectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients with urinary bladder cancer undergoing cystectomy with urinary diversion and with ileo-ileal intestinal anastomosis at a single tertiary centre (2012-2018) was undertaken. The robotic operating time, hospital stay and GI complications were compared between the robotic-sewn (RS) and stapled anastomosis (SA) groups. The only difference between the groups was the anastomosis technique; the other technical steps during the operation were the same. Primary outcomes were GI complications; the secondary outcome was robotic operation time.

RESULTS

There were 155 patients, of which 112 (73%) were male. The median age was 71 years old. A surgical stapling device was used to create 66 (43%) separate anastomoses, while a robot-sewn method was employed in 89 (57%) anastomoses. There were no statistically significant differences in primary and secondary outcomes between RS and SA.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to stapled anastomosis, a robot-sewn ileo-ileal anastomosis may serve as an alternative and cost-saving approach.