Clinical Pathway for 3-Day Stay After Robot-Assisted Cystectomy

Narcotic Avoidance After Robotic Radical Cystectomy Allows Routine of Only Two-Day Hospital Stay

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcomes of a narcotic-sparing clinical pathway after robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with ileal conduit targeting discharge on postoperative day #2 and report postoperative narcotic consumption, pain scores, and the resulting length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

We reviewed a single-surgeon series of consecutive RARCs between August 2015-September 2020. Acetaminophen and ketorolac were given with thorough patient education reserving oral narcotics for breakthrough pain. Intravenous narcotics were intentionally excluded from postoperative orders. Alvimopan was given once it became available. Subcutaneous ropivacaine pain pumps were removed before discharge. Discharge criteria included diet, oral analgesia, ambulation, and bowel function. Narcotic use and pain scores were evaluated to deternine the success of the applied narcotic-avoidance strategy.

RESULTS

None of the 54 patients required intravenous narcotics postoperatively, and 19 patients (35%) never required even oral narcotics. Mean pain scores were higher in patients who required oral narcotics (4.3/11 vs 3.0/11, p=0.001, respectively). Among 35 patients who received narcotics, mean tablets taken were 4.3/day (range, 1-13) with 68% using 8 or less tablets during their entire LOS. Mean LOS was 2.1d (range 1-4). Five patients (9%) were discharged on POD#1, 37/54 (68.5%) on POD #2, 10/54 (18.5%) on POD#3 and 2/54 (4%) on POD #4. Eight patients (15%) were readmitted within 90 days.

CONCLUSION

Minimizing narcotics after RARC with conduit allowed for a 2-day LOS in the majority of patients and the shortest ever reported mean LOS after cystectomy, essentially halving hospitalization time. Patient education is critical to minimizing narcotic usage.

Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Same-day Discharge After Robotic Urologic Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of same-day discharge (SDD) after robotic surgery METHODS: We reviewed our robotic surgeries during COVID-19 restrictions on surgery in Ohio between March 17 and June 5, 2020 and compared them with robotic procedures before COVID-19 and after restrictions were lifted. We followed our formerly described protocol in use since 2016 offering the option of SDD to all robotic urologic surgery patients, regardless of procedure type or patient-specific factors.

RESULTS

During COVID-19 restrictions (COV), 89 robotic surgeries were performed and compared with 1667 of the same procedures performed previously (pre-COV) and 42 during the following month (post-COV). Among COV patients 98% (87/89 patients) opted for same-day discharge after surgery versus 52% in the historical pre-COV group (P < .00001). Post-COV, the higher rate of SDD was maintained at 98% (41/42 patients). There were no differences in 30-day complications or readmissions between SDD and overnight patients with only 2 COV (2%) and no post-COV 30-day readmissions.

CONCLUSION

SDD after robotic surgery was safely applied during the COVID-19 crisis without increasing complications or readmissions. SDD may allow continuation of robotic surgery despite limited hospital beds and when minimizing hospital stay is important to protect postoperative patients from infection. Our experience suggests that patient attitude is a major factor in SDD after robotic surgery since the proportion of patients opting for SDD was much higher during COV and continued post-COV. Consideration of SDD long-term may be warranted for cost savings even in the absence of a crisis.

Intracorporeal versus extracorporeal urinary diversion following robot-assisted radical cystectomy: a meta-analysis, cumulative analysis, and systematic review

Over the last decade, the increased utilization of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in the surgical treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer has led to an uptrend in intracorporeal urinary diversions (ICUD). However, the operative results comparing ICUD to extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD) have varied widely. We performed a meta-analysis to analyze perioperative outcomes and complications of ICUD compared to ECUD following RARC. This study is registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42020164074. A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases in August 2019. A total of six studies comparing ICUD vs ECUD were identified and meta-analysis was conducted on these studies. In addition, a cumulative analysis was also performed on 83 studies that reported perioperative outcomes after RARC and ICUD or ECUD. The Weighed Mean Difference of operative time and blood loss between ICUD and ECUD group was (16; 95% confidence interval - 34 to 66) and (- 86; 95% confidence interval - 124 to - 48), respectively. ICUD and ECUD had comparable early (30-day) and mid-term (30-90-day) complication rate (RR 1.19; 95% confidence interval 0.71-2.0; p = 0.5) and (RR 0.91; 95% confidence interval 0.71-1.15 p = 0.4) respectively. In the 83 studies that were included in the cumulative analysis, the mean operative time for ileal conduit and neobladders by ICUD were 307 and 428 min, respectively, compared to ECUD 428 and 426 min, respectively. ICUD and ECUD have comparable short- and mid-term complication rate. The ICUD group has lower blood loss and lower rate of blood transfusion compared to ECUD.

Evaluation of the impact of a clinical pathway on the progression of acute urinary retention

AIMS

The management of acute urinary retention (AUR) revolves around trial without catheter (TWOC) after prescription of an alpha-blocker. This study evaluates the implementation of a clinical pathway for AUR.

METHODS

Specific clinical pathways for AUR was established between the Emergency Department and the Department of Urology in order to reduce the duration of bladder drainage that included standard prescriptions, an information sheet, and a note to be faxed to scheduling nurses to organize the trial without catheter (TWOC). The main endpoint was the reduction in the time between the AUR episode and TWOC, without decreasing urination.

RESULTS

Between April 2015 and December 2016, 248 patients were treated in the Emergency Department, and externally, for AUR. One hundred and seventy patients were enrolled in the pathway group and 78 in the control group. The mean duration of urinary catheterization decreased by 5.5 days as did the number of patients lost to follow-up (32% vs 76%), without decreasing the successful voiding (46% vs 36%). The duration of the urinary catheterization was not related to the chance of successful voiding regardless of the urine volume and a drainage time of over 10 days significantly reduced the chance of success (68%, n = 26 versus 42%, n = 76; P = 0.0038).

CONCLUSION

The implementation of a clinical pathway for AUR reduced the number of patients lost to follow-up and the catheterization duration, thus optimizing the management of these patients.

Potential Implications of Shortening Length of Stay Following Radical Cystectomy in a Pre-ERAS Population

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether shortened inpatient length of stay (LOS) after radical cystectomy (RC) is associated with increased complication rates after hospital discharge.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analytic cohort comprised 484 consecutive patients with 90-day follow-up who underwent RC at our institution from 2005 to 2012 and with LOS ≤9 days. Patients were categorized according to LOS as short (s-LOS; ≤5 days) or routine (r-LOS; 6-9 days). The primary outcome was major complications (Clavien-Dindo grades 3-5) occurring within 90 days after discharge. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the association between LOS and post-discharge major complications. Hospital readmission was a secondary outcome.

RESULTS

Patients in the s-LOS cohort had fewer comorbidities (P < .01), less frequently received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = .02), and more often underwent robotic RC (P < .01). Major outpatient complications occurred in 18.1% of s-LOS patients vs 11.2% of r-LOS patients, and s-LOS was associated with a significant independent increase in the risk of major outpatient complications (hazard ratio 1.91, 95% confidence interval 1.03-3.56, P = .04). There was also a statistically significant association between s-LOS and readmission (hazard ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.44, P = .048).

CONCLUSION

Early discharge post RC appears to be associated with an increased risk of major outpatient complications, suggesting that attempts to reduce LOS may need to be supplemented by additional outpatient services to diminish this effect. Further attention should be given to understanding how to better support patients discharged after a short LOS.

Enhanced Recovery After Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy: EAU Robotic Urology Section Scientific Working Group Consensus View

CONTEXT

Radical cystectomy (RC) is associated with frequent morbidity and prolonged length of stay (LOS) irrespective of surgical approach. Increasing evidence from colorectal surgery indicates that minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) can reduce surgical morbidity and LOS. ERPs are now recognised as an important component of surgical management for RC. However, there is comparatively little evidence for ERPs after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Due to the multimodal nature of ERPs, they are not easily validated through randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a European Association of Urology (EAU) Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) policy on ERPs to guide standardised perioperative management of RARC patients.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The guidance was formulated in four phases: (1) systematic literature review of evidence for ERPs in robotic, laparoscopic, and open RC; (2) an online questionnaire survey formulated and sent to ERUS Scientific Working Group members; (3) achievement of consensus from an expert panel using the Delphi process; and (4) a standardised reporting template to audit compliance and outcome designed and approved by the committee.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Consensus was reached in multiple areas of an ERP for RARC. The key principles include patient education, optimisation of nutrition, RARC approach, standardised anaesthetic, analgesic, and antiemetic regimens, and early mobilisation.

CONCLUSIONS

This consensus represents the views of an expert panel established to advise ERUS on ERPs for RARC. The ERUS Scientific Working Group recognises the role of ERPs and endorses them as standardised perioperative care for patients undergoing RARC. ERPs in robotic surgery will continue to evolve with technological and pharmaceutical advances and increasing understanding of the role of surgery-specific ERPs.

PATIENT SUMMARY

There is currently a lack of high-level evidence exploring the benefits of enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). We reported a consensus view on a standardised ERP specific to patients undergoing RARC. It was formulated by experts from high-volume RARC hospitals in Europe, combining current evidence for ERPs with experts' knowledge of perioperative care for robotic surgery.

Perioperative Outcomes, Health Care Costs, and Survival After Robotic-assisted Versus Open Radical Cystectomy: A National Comparative Effectiveness Study

BACKGROUND

Radical cystectomy is the gold-standard management for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and there is debate concerning the comparative effectiveness of robotic-assisted (RARC) versus open radical cystectomy (ORC).

OBJECTIVE

To compare utilization, perioperative, cost, and survival outcomes of RARC versus ORC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We identified bladder urothelial carcinoma treated with RARC (n=439) or ORC (n=7308) during 2002-2012 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program-Medicare linked data.

INTERVENTION

Comparison of RARC versus ORC.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

We used propensity score matching to compare perioperative and survival outcomes, including lymph node yield, perioperative complications, and healthcare costs.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Utilization of RARC increased from 0.7% of radical cystectomies in 2002 to 18.5% in 2012 (p<0.001). Women comprised 13.9% versus 18.1% (p=0.007) of RARC versus ORC, respectively. RARC was associated with greater lymph node yield with 41.5% versus 34.9% having ≥10 lymph nodes removed (relative risk 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.22, p=0.03) and shorter mean length of hospitalization at 10.1 (± standard deviation 7.1) d versus 11.2 (± 8.6) d (p=0.004). While inpatient costs were similar, RARC was associated with increased home healthcare utilization (relative risk 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.26, p=0.009) and higher 30-d (p<0.01) and 90-d (p<0.01) costs. With a median follow-up of 44 mo (interquartile range 16-78), overall survival (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.74-1.05) and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.66-1.26) were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

RARC provides equivalent perioperative and intermediate term outcomes to ORC. Additional long-term and randomized studies are needed for continued comparative effectiveness assessment of RARC versus ORC.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Our population-based US study demonstrates that robotic-assisted radical cystectomy has similar perioperative and survival outcomes albeit at higher costs.

Enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) in robotic cystectomy surgery. Review of current status and trends

Open radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion is associated with a high complication rate. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy is increasingly performed in many urologic surgical departments in an effort to reduce surgical stress and decrease perioperative morbidity. Robotic cystectomy survival studies demonstrate similar oncologic outcomes compared to the open procedure. Enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) after major surgery are multimodal perioperative interventions to reduce surgical stress, complications, and patient convalescence. Evidence for different ERP interventions are currently mainly from colorectal surgery and recently adapted to major urologic operations including cystectomy. Guidelines for perioperative care after open radical cystectomy for bladder cancer were recently published, but these recommendations may differ when considering a robotic approach. Therefore, we look at the current evidence for ERP in both open and robotic radical cystectomy and the potential for improving ERPs in robotic cystectomy by utilizing a totally intracorporeal robotic cystectomy approach. We also present the Karolinska ERP currently utilized in totally intracorporeal robotic cystectomy.

Initial experience with ketamine-based analgesia in patients undergoing robotic radical cystectomy and diversion

INTRODUCTION

We instituted a ketamine-predominant analgesic regimen in the peri- and postoperative periods to limit the effects of narcotic analgesia on bowel function in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. The primary end points of interest were time to return of bowel function, time to discharge, and efficacy of the analgesic regimen.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic cystectomy (RARC) with urinary diversion by a single surgeon at our institution from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. Patients receiving the opioid-minimizing ketamine protocol were compared to a cohort of patients undergoing RARC with an opioid-predominant analgesic regimen.

RESULTS

In total, 15 patients (Group A) were included in the ketamine-predominant regimen and 25 patients (Group B) in the opioid-predominant control group. Three patients (19%) in Group A discontinued the protocol due to ketamine side effects. The mean time to bowel movement and length of stay in Group A versus Group B was 3 versus 6 days (p < 0.001), and 4 versus 8 days, respectively (p < 0.001). Group A patients received an average of 13.0 mg of morphine versus 97.5 mg in Group B (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received our ketamine pain control regimen had a shorter time to return of bowel function and length of hospitalization after RARC. Our study has its limitations as a retrospective, single surgeon, single institution study and the non-randomization of patients. Notwithstanding these limitations, this study was not designed to show inferiority of one approach, but instead to show that our protocol is safe and efficacious, warranting further study in a prospective fashion.

Systematic review and cumulative analysis of perioperative outcomes and complications after robot-assisted radical cystectomy

CONTEXT

Although open radical cystectomy (ORC) is still the standard approach, laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) have gained popularity.

OBJECTIVE

To report a systematic literature review and cumulative analysis of perioperative outcomes and complications of RARC in comparison with ORC and LRC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched using a free-text protocol including the terms robot-assisted radical cystectomy or da Vinci radical cystectomy or robot* radical cystectomy. RARC case series and studies comparing RARC with either ORC or LRC were collected. Cumulative analysis was conducted.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The searches retrieved 105 papers. According to the different diversion type, overall mean operative time ranged from 360 to 420 min. Similarly, mean blood loss ranged from 260 to 480 ml. Mean in-hospital stay was about 9 d for all diversion types, with consistently high readmission rates. In series reporting on RARC with either extracorporeal or intracorporeal conduit diversion, overall 90-d complication rates were 59% (high-grade complication: 15%). In series reporting RARC with intracorporeal continent diversion, the overall 30-d complication rate was 45.7% (high-grade complication: 28%). Reported mortality rates were ≤3% for all diversion types. Comparing RARC and ORC, cumulative analyses demonstrated shorter operative time for ORC, whereas blood loss and in-hospital stay were better with RARC (all p values <0.003). Moreover, 90-d complication rates of any-grade and 90-d grade 3 complication rates were lower for RARC (all p values <0.04), whereas high-grade complication and mortality rates were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

RARC can be performed safely with acceptable perioperative outcome, although complications are common. Cumulative analyses demonstrated that operative time was shorter with ORC, whereas RARC may provide some advantages in terms of blood loss and transfusion rates and, more limitedly, for postoperative complication rates over ORC and LRC.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Although open radical cystectomy (RC) is still regarded as a standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, laparoscopic and robot-assisted RC are becoming more popular. Robotic RC can be safely performed with acceptably low risk of blood loss, transfusion, and intraoperative complications; however, as for open RC, the risk of postoperative complications is high, including a substantial risk of major complication and reoperation.

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal neobladder - what is the effect of the learning curve on outcomes?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of the learning curve on operative, postoperative, and pathological outcomes of the first 67 totally intracorporeal robot-assisted radical cystectomies (RARCs) with neobladders performed by two lead surgeons at Karolinska University Hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between December 2003 and October 2012, 67 patients (61 men and six women) underwent RARC with orthotopic urinary diversion by two main surgeons. Data were collected prospectively on patient demographics, peri- and postoperative outcomes including operation times, conversion rates, blood loss, complication rates, pathological data and length of stay (LOS) for these 67 consecutive patients. The two surgeons operated on 47 and 20 patients, respectively. The patients were divided into sequential groups of 10 in each individual surgeon's series and assessed for effect of the learning curve.

RESULTS

Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were similar in both surgeons' groups. The overall total operation times trended down in both surgeons' series from a median time of 565 min in the first group of 10 cases, to a median of 345 min in the last group for surgeon A (P < 0.001) and 413 to 385 min for surgeon B (not statistically significant). Risk of conversion to open surgery also decreased with a 30% conversion rate in the first group to zero in latter groups (P < 0.01). Overall complications decreased as the learning curve progressed from 70% in the first group to 30% in the later groups (P < 0.05), although major complications were not statistically different when compared between the groups. Patient demographics did not change over time. The mean estimated blood loss was unchanged across groups with increasing experience. The pathological staging, mean total lymph node yield and number of positive margins were also unchanged across groups. There was a decrease in LOS from a mean of 19 days in the first group to a mean (range) of 9 (4-78) days in the later groups, although the median LOS was unchanged and therefore not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Totally intracorporeal RARC with intracorporeal neobladder is a complex procedure, but it can be performed safely, with a structured approach, at a high-volume established robotic surgery centre without compromising perioperative and pathological outcomes during the learning curve for surgeons. An experienced robotic team and mentor can impact the learning curve of a new surgeon in the same centre resulting in decreased operation times early in their personal series, reducing conversion rates and complication rates.

Status of Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy (RARC) in 2012

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for bladder cancer is increasingly becoming popular in specialist centres around the world. RARC has the advantage of being minimally invasive and also the dexterity of the instruments allow reconstruction such as ileal conduit urinary diversion or neobladder formation. Starting from the initial series demonstrating the feasibility of RARC and extended pelvic lymph node dissection, we now have mature series demonstrating equal oncological and functional outcomes in the medium term follow-up. In addition, literature suggests decreased hospital stay, less blood loss equating to less blood transfusion and a trend towards decreased complications as well. In the near future we would anticipate further refinement and reduced operating times with increased benefits for the patient undergoing RARC.

A single overnight stay is possible for most patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate establishment of overnight stay only as sufficient after robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN).

METHODS

Stated benefits of minimally invasive surgery include reduced hospitalization, but published hospital stays after laparoscopic or robotic partial nephrectomy are not significantly less than with open surgery. We developed a clinical pathway targeting discharge on postoperative day (POD) 1 after RPN of any complexity. We reviewed all RPNs by a single surgeon since instituting our clinical pathway, including ambulation and diet the night of surgery, avoidance of intravenous narcotics and drains, and catheter removal on POD 1 before discharge. Targeted discharge was not modified regardless of RPN complexity.

RESULTS

A total of 150 consecutive patients underwent 160 RPNs with 35 hilar tumors and 26 with segmental, and 33 with no artery clamping. Three had solitary kidneys, and 8 underwent multiple (range, 2-4) RPNs. Mean patient age was 57 years (range, 22-89 years), and body mass index was 32 kg/m(2) (range, 18-54 kg/m(2)). Mean tumor size was 3.6 cm (range, 1.0-11.0; median, 3.2 cm), and the RENAL (radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness to collecting system, anterior/posterior, and location) nephrometry score was 8 (range, 4-12; median, 8). Mean warm ischemia time was 12.1 minutes (range, 0-30.0 minutes). Mean preoperative and discharge creatinine were 0.9 mg/dL (range, 0.43-2.79 mg/dL) and 1.13 mg/dL (range, 0.56-2.93 mg/dL). All patients ambulated on POD 0. One patient required one dose of intravenous narcotic. Mean length of stay was 1.1 days, with 145 (97%) discharged on POD 1, of which only 4 (2.7%) were readmitted within 30 days.

CONCLUSION

Discharge on POD 1 is feasible in most RPN patients regardless of complexity. Readmission rate was low, indicating that longer admissions may not prevent complications when patients meeting discharge criteria go home on POD 1.

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy: current technique and outcomes

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy continues to evolve as a surgical option in the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Current oncologic outcomes appear comparable in the short-term with open radical cystectomy. Long-term follow-up, however, remains lacking for this emerging technique. Modern robotic technology allows a comparable extent of pelvic lymph node dissection as open surgery, a previous criticism of the procedure. Complications compare very favorably to open surgery in comparative series, and blood loss and transfusion rates are routinely lower. Length of stay has been shortened in some series, though not uniformly. Finally, robotic assistance can increase the cost of radical cystectomy.

Quality of lymphadenectomy is equivalent with robotic and open cystectomy using an extended template

PURPOSE

Extended lymph node dissection for bladder cancer provides better staging, cancerous node removal and potentially survival. Minimally invasive techniques have been criticized about the ability to adequately perform extended lymph node dissection. We compared the extended lymph node dissection quality of robotic and open cystectomy by assessing node yield and positivity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared extended lymph node dissection in 120 open and 35 robotic cystectomy cases. Extended lymph node dissection included skeletonization of structures in each nodal group below the aortic bifurcation (common iliac, external iliac, obturator, hypogastric and presacral nodes). Nodes were processed identically but submitted as 1 or 2 packets for robotic cases and as 10 or more packets for open surgery cases.

RESULTS

The mean±SD node count in the open group was 36.9±14.8 (range 11 to 87) and in the robotic group the mean yield was 37.5±13.2 (range 18 to 64). Only 12 of 120 open (10%) and 2 of 35 robotic (6%) cases had fewer than 20 nodes. A total of 36 open (30%) and 12 robotic (34%) cases were node positive. Open extended lymph node dissection identified 80% and 90% confidence of accurate staging as pN0 when obtaining 23 and 27 nodes, respectively. A node count of 23 or 27 was achieved in 87% and 77% of open cases, and in 91% and 83% of robotic cases, respectively. Of patients with open surgery 36% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared to 31% of those with robotic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

No difference was identified in the lymph node yield or the positive node rate when comparing open and robotic extended lymph node dissection. Local recurrence and survival data are needed to confirm whether the 2 techniques are oncologically equivalent.