Impact of tumour volume on surgical and pathological outcomes after robot-assisted radical cystectomy

Complications from robot-assisted radical cystectomy: Where do we stand?

INTRODUCTION

Radical cystectomy with extended lymphadenectomy is the surgical treatment of choice for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The technical and technological improvements and the positive results from robot-assisted kidney and prostate surgery have led to the progressive development of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). We provide a global structured overview and an update on the complications of RARC, recorded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system.

ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE

We conducted a search on PubMed of all publications on RARC to date (2014). Of the 259 publications found, we excluded review articles and cost analyses, publications with less than 30 cases, updates of previous studies and those whose main objective was the study of other issues related to RARC other than complications, leaving a total of 38 articles for the final analysis.

SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE

The most common complications associated with RARC are gastrointestinal, infectious and genitourinary system, mainly Clavien 1-2, followed by Clavien 3-4. RARC had lower overall complication rates than open radical cystectomy and laparoscopic radical cystectomy and had a lower incidence of severe complications, less intraoperative bleeding and better postoperative recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Although further scientific evidence is needed, RARC is an increasingly widespread technique that appears to reduce complications as well as the need for transfusion, and it improves recovery times.

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.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy: history, techniques and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is a less invasive means of performing the radical cystectomy operation, which holds promise for improved patient morbidity. We review the history, technique and current literature pertaining to RARC and place the current results in context with the open procedure.

METHODS

All articles regarding RARC found in PubMed after January 2000 were examined. We selected articles that appeared in high-impact journals, had large patient population size (>80 patients), or were novel in technique or findings. We chose key laparoscopic articles to give reference to the history in transition to robotic radical cystectomy. In addition, we chose classic articles from open radical cystectomy to give reference regarding the newer robotic perioperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Studies suggest that a 20-patient learning curve is needed to reach an operative time of 6.5 h, with 30 surgeries performed to reach lymph node counts in excess of 20 (International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium). The only randomized surgical trial comparing open and robotic techniques showed equivalent lymph node yield, which may be surgeon and volume dependent. Literature demonstrates lower estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, early return of bowel function and decreased complications in early small series.

CONCLUSION

RARC and urinary diversion are still early in development and limited to centers with extensive robotic experience and volume, although adoption of the robotic approach is becoming more common. Early studies have shown promise to reduce complications with equivalent oncologic results.

Perioperative outcomes and oncologic efficacy from a pilot prospective randomized clinical trial of open versus robotic assisted radical cystectomy

PURPOSE

Robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer has been reported with potential for improvement in perioperative morbidity compared to the open approach. However, most studies are retrospective with significant selection bias.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A pilot prospective randomized trial evaluating perioperative outcomes and oncologic efficacy of open vs robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy for consecutive patients was performed from July 2009 to June 2011.

RESULTS

To date 47 patients have been randomized with data available on 40 patients for analysis. Each group was similar with regard to age, gender, race, body mass index and comorbidities, as well as previous surgeries, operative time, postoperative complications and final pathological stage. We observed no significant differences between oncologic outcomes of positive margins (5% each, p = 0.50) or number of lymph nodes removed for open radical cystectomy (23, IQR 15-28) vs robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (11, IQR 8.75-21.5) groups (p = 0.135). The robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy group (400 ml, IQR 300-762.5) was noted to have decreased estimated blood loss compared to the open radical cystectomy group (800 ml, IQR 400-1,100) and trended toward a decreased rate of excessive length of stay (greater than 5 days) (65% vs 90%, p = 0.11) compared to the open radical cystectomy group. The robotic group also trended toward fewer transfusions (40% vs 50%, p = 0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study validates the concept of randomizing patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy to an open or robotic approach. Our results suggest no significant differences in surrogates of oncologic efficacy. Robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy demonstrates potential benefits of decreased estimated blood loss and decreased hospital stay compared to open radical cystectomy. Our results need to be validated in a larger multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial.

The role of laparoscopic and robotic cystectomy in the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer with special emphasis on cancer control and complications

CONTEXT

Minimally invasive radical cystectomy (MIRC) techniques for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BCa) are being increasingly applied. MIRC offers the potential benefits of a minimally invasive approach in terms of reduced blood loss and analgesic requirements whilst striving to provide similar oncologic efficacy to open radical cystectomy (ORC). Whether quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay, and a reduction in complications are routinely achieved with MIRC remains to be proved in prospective comparisons.

OBJECTIVE

To explore both laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RRC), focusing specifically on the oncologic parameters and comorbidity of the procedures. Reported complications from major centres are identified and categorised via the Clavien system. Positive margins rates, local recurrence, and both cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival rates are assessed.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted in November 2010 using the Medline database to identify publications relating to laparoscopic, robotic, or minimally invasive radical cystectomy.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

There are encouraging short- to medium-term results for both LRC and RRC in terms of postoperative morbidity and oncologic outcomes. It seems possible in experienced hands to perform a satisfactory minimally invasive lymphadenectomy regarding lymph node counts and levels of dissection. Positive soft-tissue margins are similar to large open series for T2/T3 disease but inferior for bulky T4 disease. Local recurrence rates and CSS rates seem equivalent to ORC at up to 3 yr of follow-up; however, mature outcome data still need to be presented before definitive comparisons can be made.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic and laparoscopic cystectomy has a growing role in the management of muscle-invasive BCa. Long-term oncologic results are awaited, and there are concerns over the ability of MIRC to treat bulky and locally advanced disease, making careful patient selection vital. Forthcoming randomised trials in this area will more fully address these issues.

Is patient outcome compromised during the initial experience with robot-assisted radical cystectomy? Results of 164 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVE

• Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) remains controversial in terms of oncologic outcomes, especially during the initial experience. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of initial experience of robotic cystectomy programs on oncologic outcomes and overall survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• Utilizing a prospectively maintained, single institution robotic cystectomy database, we identified 164 consecutive patients who underwent RARC since November 2005. • After stratification by age group, gender, pathologic T stage, lymph node status, surgical margin status, and sequential case number; we used chi-squared analyses to correlate sequential case number to operative time, surgical blood loss, lymph node yield, and surgical margin status. • We also addressed the relationship between complications and sequential case number. We then utilized Cox proportional hazard modeling and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses to correlate variables to overall mortality.

RESULTS

• Sequential case number was not significantly associated with increased incidence of complications, surgical blood loss, or positive surgical margins (P= 0.780, P= 0.548, P= 0.545). Case number was, however, significantly associated with shorter operative time and mean number of lymph nodes retrieved (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). • Sequential case number was not significantly associated with survival; however, tumour stage, the presence of lymph node metastases, and positive surgical margins were significantly associated with death. • Although being the largest of its kind, this was a small study with short follow-up when compared to open cystectomy series.

CONCLUSION

• Initial experience with RARC did not affect the incidence of positive surgical margins, operative/postoperative complications, or overall survival in a single-institution series.

Robotic surgery in urologic oncology: gathering the evidence

In less than a decade, the widespread application of robotic technology to the field of urologic oncology has permanently altered the way urologists approach malignancy. The short-term benefits of minimally invasive surgery using robotic assistance (i.e., decreased blood loss, improved convalescence and ergonomic appeal), as well as a broad marketing campaign, have helped the technology gain traction in the field of urology. Although the long-term benefits of its use in urologic surgery are less clear and the costs of robotic surgery are consistently greater than those of other approaches, the numbers of prostate, kidney and bladder cancer cases continue to rise. Identifying transferable surgical processes of care that matter most for each of the robotic cases in urologic oncology (e.g., prostatectomy, cystectomy and partial nephrectomy) is a next step toward broadly improving the quality of urologic cancer care. To this end, urologic professional societies and their surgeons should aim to identify underwriters for and participate in large clinical registries and surgical quality collaboratives.

Lymph node dissection for bladder cancer: the issue of extent and feasibility in the minimally invasive era

Lymph node dissection in bladder cancer is an integral part of radical cystectomy. It allows for accurate staging of the patient and will, therefore, serve to dictate additional treatment and add prognostic information. The issue of what is an adequate lymphadenectomy as to the extent and boundaries of the operation, specifically the cephalad extent, has been the focus of recent debate. Some have suggested that lymph node yield, in terms of number, could serve as a surrogate for the adequacy of the node dissection and, thus, the oncologic efficacy of the operation. It has also been suggested that it is a marker for the experience of the operating surgeon. What is meant by a limited, standard and extended lymph node dissection varies among different publications. Recent evidence suggests that an 'extended' node dissection infers oncologic efficacy. With the advent of minimally invasive and, specifically, robotic-assisted surgery, more cystectomies are approached robotically. As such, there has been recent debate as to whether a robotic-assisted procedure can emulate the open approach, satisfying the accepted boundaries and extent of dissection and ultimately leading to equivalent oncologic outcomes without increasing morbidity. In this review, we focus on the extent of lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer by reviewing the lymphatic drainage and arguments in favor of a more extended dissection. We will then address the minimally invasive techniques, focusing on robotic-assisted surgery, and review the evidence suggesting that this is a promising new technique that results in acceptable nodal yield and potentially equivalent oncologic outcomes with no added morbidity.