The Timing and Frequency of Infectious Complications after Radical Cystectomy: An Opportunity for Rescue Antibiotic Treatment

3D laparoscopic treatment of bladder cancer with pelvic multi-organ invasion: a case report and literature review

Introduction

Radical cystectomy with dissection of pelvic lymph nodes and urethral diversion is the standard surgical treatment for muscle-invasive non-metastatic bladder cancer. In rare cases where patients with bladder cancer without distant metastasis have pelvic multi-organ invasion, the cancer compresses or invades the ureter and, in severe cases, leads to bilateral upper urinary tract obstruction and renal damage. The treatment recommended by guidelines often cannot improve the patients' clinical symptoms immediately, and patients cannot complete the treatment owing to severe side effects, resulting in poor survival benefits.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old woman with facial edema was treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University. The serum creatinine and potassium values were 1244 umol/L and 5.86 mmol/L, respectively. Pelvic magnetic resonance and abdominal computed tomography revealed that the bladder tumor had infiltrated the uterus, anterior vaginal wall, rectum, right ureter, right fallopian tube, and right ovary and metastasized to multiple pelvic lymph nodes. Tumor invasion of the right ureter resulted in severe hydronephrosis of the right kidney and loss of function and obstructive symptoms in the left kidney. Four days later, the patient's creatinine level decreased to 98 u mol/L, the general condition significantly improved, and the patient and family members strongly desired surgical treatment of the tumor. Through a comprehensive preoperative discussion, possible intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated. Right nephrectomy, right ureterectomy, total pelvic organ resection, extended pelvic lymph node dissection, and bowel and urinary diversion were conducted under 3D laparoscopy-assisted treatment. The patient was followed-up for 1.5 years and showed good tumor control, self-care, and mental status.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive surgery is a curative option for patients with bladder cancer with pelvic multi-organ invasion without distant metastasis. Surgeons should strictly control the indications for surgery and warn patients about the occurrence of related post-surgical complications.

[Bladder cancer - complications related to urinary diversion]

Even today, radical cystectomy with urinary diversion is one of the most complicated procedures in uro-oncology. Particularly in the long-term course, but also perioperatively, problems caused by urinary diversion play a significant role.Perioperatively, gastrointestinal problems such as an ileus, but also infections and early complications of the different anastomoses are most important. While ileus and perioperative infections can usually be treated conservatively, failure of the intestinal or ureteroileal anastomoses require regular surgical revisions.In the long-term follow-up, scarring can lead to chronic obstruction of urinary flow and, in the case of continental urinary diversions, to stone formation. These complications, as well as parastomal hernias in patients with poor conduits, may require further therapy. Functional bowel disorders may impair patients' quality of life significantly.Improved preoperative preparation and accompanying measures during the inpatient stay can significantly reduce non-surgical complications.Cystectomy with therapy-associated morbidity is a classical example of when surgery must be performed at specialised centers to reduce complications perioperatively as well as in follow-up.