Clinical outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy and continent urinary diversion

Risk factors that impact long-term outcomes in sigmoid colon cancer with urinary bladder involvement

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the risk factors impacting long-term outcomes in patients diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer with urinary bladder involvement.

METHODS

A comprehensive analysis was conducted on a retrospective cohort of 118 patients who underwent multivisceral resection for sigmoid colon cancer with urinary bladder involvement between June 2002 and May 2017. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify risk factors associated with long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the included patients, 10 (8.5%) experienced grade III-IV complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification, with 4 (3.4%) presenting anastomotic leaks. The postoperative mortality was 0.8%. R0 resection was achieved in 108 (91.6%) patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administrated to only 31 patient (26.3%). Local recurrence was observed in 8 (6.8%) cases. Risk factors for local recurrence-free survival and disease-free survival were CCI>3, grade III-IV postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification, positive resection margins, stage III of the disease, additional resected organs (excluding colon and bladder) and the absence of adjuvant chemotherapy. The same risk factors, with the exception of CCI, were associated with overall survival.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights that negative resection margins, a postoperative period without grade III-IV complications, and the implementation of adjuvant chemotherapy are crucial factors contributing to improve overall, disease-free and local recurrence-free survival in patients with sigmoid colon cancer with urinary bladder involvement.

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy vs open radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

Even though there isn't enough clinical evidence to demonstrate that robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is preferable to open radical cystectomy (ORC), RARC has become a widely used alternative. We performed the present study of RARC vs ORC with a focus on oncologic, pathological, perioperative, and complication-related outcomes and health-related quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

We conducted a literature review up to August 2022. The search included PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane controlled trials register databases. We classified the studies according to version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). The data was assessed by Review Manager 5.4.0.

RESULTS

8 RCTs comparing 1024 patients were analyzed in our study. RARC was related to lower estimated blood loss (weighted mean difference (WMD): -328.2; 95% CI -463.49--192.92; p < 0.00001), lower blood transfusion rates (OR: 0.45; 95% CI 0.32 - 0.65; p < 0.0001) but longer operation time (WMD: 84.21; 95% CI 46.20 -121.72; p < 0.0001). And we found no significant difference in terms of positive surgical margins (P = 0.97), lymph node yield (P = 0.30) and length of stay (P = 0.99). Moreover, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of survival outcomes, pathological outcomes, postoperative complication outcomes and health-related QOL.

CONCLUSION

Based on the present evidence, we demonstrated that RARC and ORC have similar cancer control results. RARC is related to less blood loss and lower transfusion rate. We found no difference in postoperative complications and health-related QOL between robotic and open approaches. RARC procedures could be used as an alternate treatment for bladder cancer patients. Additional RCTs with long-term follow-up are needed to validate this observation.

Neobladder "Function": Tips and Tricks for Surgery and Postoperative Management

Orthotopic neobladder (ONB) reconstruction is a continent urinary diversion procedure increasingly used in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer following radical cystectomy (RC). It represents a valid alternative to the ileal duct in suitable patients who do not prefer a stoma and are motivated to undergo adequate training of the neobladder. Careful patient selection, taking into account the absolute and relative contraindications for ONB as well as an adequate recovery protocol after surgery are integral to the success of this procedure and the oncological and functional outcomes. The objective of this review is to summarize the current data on RC with ONB in terms of patient selection, preoperative preparation, surgical techniques and functional (continence and sexual activity) and oncological outcomes, with particular attention to the management of complications and the impact on quality of life (QoL).

Perioperative and Functional Outcomes of Robot-assisted Ureteroenteric Reimplantation: A Multicenter Study of Seven Referral Institutions

Background

Open revision of ureteroenteric strictures (UESs) is associated with considerable morbidity. There is a lack of data evaluating the feasibility of robotic revisions.

Objective

To analyze the perioperative and functional outcomes of robot-assisted ureteroenteric reimplantation (RUER) for the management of UESs after radical cystectomy (RC).

Design, setting, and participants

A retrospective multicenter study of 61 patients, who underwent 63 RUERs at seven high-volume institutions between 2009 and 2020 for benign UESs after RC, was conducted.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

Data were reviewed for demographics, stricture characteristics, and perioperative outcomes. Variables associated with being stricture free after an RUER were evaluated using a multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results and limitations

Among 63 RUERs, 22 were right sided (35%), 34 left sided (54%), and seven bilateral (11%). Twenty-seven (44%) had prior abdominal/pelvic surgery and five (8%) radiotherapy (RT). Thirty-two patients had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores I–II (52%) and 29 ASA III (48%). Forty-two (68%) RUERs were in ileal conduits, 18 (29%) in neobladders, and two (3%) in Indiana pouch. The median time to diagnosis of a UES from cystectomy was 5 (3–11) mo. Of the UESs, 28 (44%) failed an endourological attempt (balloon dilatation/endoureterotomy). The median RUER operative time was 195 (175–269) min. No intraoperative complications or conversions to open approach were reported. Twenty-three (37%) patients had postoperative complications (20 [32%] were minor and three [5%] major). The median length of hospital stay was 3 (1–6) d and readmissions were 5%. After a median follow-up of 19 (8–43) mo, 84% of cases were stricture free. Lack of prior RT was the only variable associated with better stricture-free survival after RUER (hazard ratio 6.8, 95% confidence interval 1.10–42.00, p = 0.037). The study limitations include its retrospective nature and the small number of patients.

Conclusions

RUER is a feasible procedure for the management of UESs. Prospective and larger studies are warranted to prove the safety and efficacy of this technique.

Patient summary

In this study, we investigate the feasibility of a novel minimally invasive technique for the management of ureteroenteric strictures. We conclude that robotic reimplantation is a feasible and effective procedure.

Success factors for abdominal wall diversions, including ureterocutaneostomy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the most recent data on urinary diversions (UD) surgical outcomes performed at time of radical cystectomy (RC).

RECENT FINDINGS

Looking at the recent specific literature, the most recent factors introduced in the field of UDs are the preoperative assessment of patient's frailty and the use of the robotic system. According to the available evidence, frailty status is a good preoperative predictor of surgical outcomes and patient recovery. Several questionaries measuring patient's frailty status have been evaluated as a proxy to prevent RC complications and to improve the choice of the UDs.Robot-assisted RC has gained popularity and both continent and incontinent UD are now performed through an intra-corporeal technique. Studies on Robot-assisted UDs showed that both intra-corporeal and extra-corporeal approaches (ICUD and ECUD, respectively) are safe and feasible. Compared to the open techniques, they improve intraoperative blood loss and postoperative recovery. However, accessibility to the Da-Vinci System and the need of robotic skills limit the application of these techniques to high-volume institutes.

SUMMARY

Patient's frailty status and the use of robotic surgery are the most recent factors introduced to improve the choice of UD and surgical outcomes.

Robot assisted radical cystectomy with Florence robotic intracorporeal neobladder (FloRIN): Analysis of survival and functional outcomes after first 100 consecutive patients upon accomplishment of phase 3 IDEAL framework

INTRODUCTION

Aim of the study was to evaluate the Florence intracorporeal neobladder (FloRIN) oncological and functional outcomes at the end of assessment phase (phase 3) IDEAL-Guidelines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-institution prospective series included consecutive patients treated with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and FloRIN reconfiguration technique from February 2016 to June 2020. Functional features were evaluated six months after surgery. Patients were grouped into four quartiles according to time of radical cystectomy and impact of learning curve improvement was evaluated.

RESULTS

One-hundred FloRIN were completed with a median console time of 373 (IQR: 312-415) minutes. Two cases were converted to open surgery. No intraoperative complications occurred. At pathological examination, 30% of patients were staged as pT ≤ 1 and 47% as pT ≥ 3. Transitional cell carcinoma was present in 87% of cases. Carcinoma in situ (CIS) and nodal involvement were observed in 38% and 29% of patients, respectively. At a median follow-up time of 17 (IQR: 7-28) months, 20 clinically relevant events (Clavien-Dindo≥3) occurred. Operative time significantly decreased throughout the series (median minutes 435; 395; 365 and 330 in the four quartiles, respectively; p < 0.001). Similarly, early Clavien-Dindo≥3 postoperative complications rate significantly decreased across the series (number of events: 1; 4; 0; 0; p = 0.03). Overall, 75% and 65% of patients achieved day-time and nigh-time continence, respectively. Twenty-seven patients experienced disease recurrence. Cancer-specific and overall survival were equal to 80%.

CONCLUSIONS

RARC with FloRIN reconfiguration showed worthy functional and survival outcomes, with learning curve improvement significantly influencing operative time and early complications rate across series.

[ROBOT-ASSISTED RADICAL CYSTECTOMY AT HIROSHIMA CITY ASA HOSPITAL -COMPARISON WITH LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL CYSTECTOMY]

(Objective) We compared the perioperative parameters of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) to evaluate the utility of RARC. (Patients and methods) At Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, 25 patients underwent RARC from July 2018 to May 2020 (R group) and 79 patients underwent LRC from July 2012 to June 2018 (L group). We retrospectively compared the patient characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and pathological outcomes between the R group and the L group. (Results) Regarding the patient characteristics, the R group had significantly more neo-adjuvant chemotherapy than the L group (64.0% vs. 32.9%, P=0.009), but the other characteristics did not differ. Between the R group and the L group, there were no significant differences in the total operating time (R group = 400 minutes vs. L group = 421 minutes), estimated blood loss (R group = 228 ml vs. L group = 318 ml), or pathological outcomes. However, there were significantly less postoperative complications in the R group than in the L group (24.0% vs. 52.6%, P=0.020). (Conclusion) This study showed that there might be benefits to introducing RARC into medical centers that perform LRC.

Robot-assisted intracorporeal orthotopic bladder substitution after radical cystectomy: perioperative morbidity and oncological outcomes - a single-institution experience

OBJECTIVE

To report a single-institution experience with totally intracorporeal neobladder urinary diversion (UD) after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 158 patients underwent totally intracorporeal neobladder UD after RARC between 2003 and 2016. Patient demographics, intraoperative and pathological data, 30- and 90-day perioperative mortality and complications were recorded. Complications were classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification. The 5-year overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier plots.

RESULTS

Most of the patients were male (84%) and had clinical T Stage ≤2 (87%). The mean operation time was 359 (SD ±98) min, with a median (range) estimated blood loss of 300 (50-2200) mL. Most of the men (86%) received a nerve-sparing procedure and 38% of the females an organ-sparing approach. A lymph node dissection was performed in 156 (99%) patients, with a median (range) yield of 23 (7-48) nodes. Conversion to open surgery occurred in five patients (3%). We recorded negative margins in 156 patients (99%). The median (range) follow-up was 34 (1-170) months, with 30- and 90-day mortality rates of 0%. Clavien-Dindo Grade III-IV complications occurred in 29 of 158 (18%) patients at 30-days and in eight of 158 (5%) between 30-90 days, resulting into a 90-day overall high-grade complication rate of 23%. The unadjusted estimated 5-years recurrence-free survival, CSS and OS rates were 70%, 72%, and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In our present series the complication and oncological results were similar to open RC series, suggesting that RARC followed by totally intracorporeal neobladder UD is a safe and feasible alternative.

Can robotic-assisted radical cystectomy provide patients with a smaller trauma and faster recovery period? A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative trials

OBJECTIVE

This article explores the differences in the effectiveness and safety of the treatment of bladder cancer (BC) by robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC).

METHODS

A systematic search was performed using databases including Medline, PubMed and Web of Science within a limited period from January 1, 2000, to September 1, 2019. RevMan 5.3 was used for calculation and statistical analyses.

RESULTS

We performed meta-analysis on operation time, estimated blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, positive surgical margin, oral intake time, length of hospital stay, complication and other indicators, and found that there were no statistically significant differences between LRC and RARC.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis results show that LRC and RARC have similar results on the effectiveness and safety of BC. For those medical institutions that cannot perform robot-assisted surgery but are seeking minimally invasive and faster postoperative recovery, LRC is worth considering. However, a larger sample size, more rigorous design and longer follow-up randomized controlled trials are still needed to support our conclusions.