Cost comparison between open radical cystectomy, laparoscopic radical cystectomy, and robot-assisted radical cystectomy for patients with bladder cancer: a systematic review of segmental costs

Robot-assisted pelvic and renal surgery compared with laparoscopic or open surgery: Literature review of cost-effectiveness and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical experiences and cost-effectiveness by comparing robot-assisted surgery with laparoscopic- or open surgery for pelvic and renal operations.

METHODS

A narrative review was carried out.

RESULTS

When using robotic-assisted surgery, oncological and functional results are similar to after laparoscopic or open surgery. One exception may be a shorter survival in cancer of the cervix uteri. In addition, postoperative complications after robotic-assisted surgery are similar, bleeding and transfusion needs are less, and the hospital stay is shorter but the preparation of the operating theater before and after surgery and the operation times are longer. Finally, robot-assisted surgery has, in several studies, been reported to be not cost-effective primarily due to high investment costs. However, more recent studies provide improved cost-effectiveness estimates due to more effective preparation of the operating theater before surgery, improved surgeon experience, and decreased investment costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications and functional and oncological outcomes after robot-assisted surgery are similar to open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. The cost-effectiveness of robot-assisted surgery is likely to equal or surpass the alternatives.

Replicating Florence Intracorporeal Neobladder Technique in Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate retrospectively the feasibility of Florence robotic intracorporeal neobladder technique in laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy and Florence robotic intracorporeal neobladder between September 2021 and February 2023. Patients' characteristics, pathology data, perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and follow-up data were collected.

RESULTS

All operations were successfully completed laparoscopically. The median total operative time was 343 minutes, and the median estimated blood loss was 169.5 mL. No intraoperative complications were observed. The median hospitalization time was 7days, while the median time to regular diet was 3days. Clavien Dindo Grade < III complications appeared in five patients within 30days postoperation. No other complications were noted over the 90days follow-up. Organ-confined disease was confirmed in 11 patients and locally advanced disease in three patients. At 3months follow-up, eight and four patients were daytime and night-time continent, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Replicating Florence robotic intracorporeal neobladder in laparoscopic radical cystectomy is safe, feasible, and repeatable, based on the encouraging perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of our study. However, further prospective studies on a larger scale are required to prove its long-term results.

Perioperative comparison between robot-assisted and laparoscopic radical cystectomy: An update meta-analysis

We conducted this study to explore the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for bladder cancer (BC).We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases for studies on LRC and RARC treatment of BC from the time of the databases creation to May 1, 2022. We extracted data and used Stata 16.0 for calculation and statistical analyses.Thirteen studies with 1509 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between RARC and LRC in terms of operative time (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 14.48; 95% confidence interval [CI][-2.49, 31.44], P = 0.001), estimated intraoperative blood loss (WMD = -4.23; 95% CI [-81.48, 73.01], P = 0.001), intraoperative blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR] = 0.7; 95% CI [0.39, 1.27]; P = 0.011), positive surgical margins (OR = 1.21; 95% CI [0.61, 2.03]; P = 0.855), time to regular diet, length of hospital stay (WMD = 0.37, 95% CI [-1.73, 2.46]; P = 0.001), postoperative hospital days (WMD = -0.52; 95% CI [-1.15, 0.11], P = 0.359), intraoperative complications, 30- day postoperative complications, and 90- day postoperative complications. However the RARC lymph node yield was higher than that of LRC (WMD = 1.87; 95% CI [0.74, 2.99], P = 0.147).Our study showed that LRC and RARC have similar efficacy and safety profiles for the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Cost-analysis of robot-assisted radical cystectomy in Europe: A cross-country comparison

BACKGROUND

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD) is surging worldwide. Aim of the study was to perform a multicentric cost-analysis of RARC by comparing the gross cost of the intervention across hospitals in four different European countries.

METHODS

Patients who underwent RARC + ICUD were recruited from eleven European centers in four European countries (Belgium, France, Netherlands, and UK) between 2015 and 2020. Costs were divided into six parts: cost for hospital stay, cost for ICU stay, cost for surgical theater occupation, cost for transfusion, cost for robotic instruments, and cost for stapling instruments. These costs were individually assessed for each patient.

RESULTS

A total of 490 patients were included. Median operative time was 300(270-360) minutes and median hospital length-of-stay was 11(8-15) days. The average total cost of RARC was 14.794€ (95%CI 14.300-15.200€). A significant difference was found for the total cost, as well as the various subcosts abovementioned, between the four included countries. Different sets and types of robotic instruments were used by each center, leading to a difference in cost of robotic instrumentation. Nearly 84% of costs of RARC were due to hospital stay (42%), ICU stay (3%) and operative time (39%), while 16% of costs were due to robotic (8%) and stapling (8%) instruments.

CONCLUSION

Costs and subcosts of RARC + ICUD vary significantly across European countries and are mainly dependent of hospital length-of-stay and operative time rather than robotic instrumentation. Decreasing length-of-stay and reducing operative time could help to decrease the cost of RARC and make it more widely accessible.

Cost-Effectiveness of Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy vs Open Radical Cystectomy for Patients With Bladder Cancer

Importance

The value to payers of robot-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion (iRARC) when compared with open radical cystectomy (ORC) for patients with bladder cancer is unclear.

Objectives

To compare the cost-effectiveness of iRARC with that of ORC.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This economic evaluation used individual patient data from a randomized clinical trial at 9 surgical centers in the United Kingdom. Patients with nonmetastatic bladder cancer were recruited from March 20, 2017, to January 29, 2020. The analysis used a health service perspective and a 90-day time horizon, with supplementary analyses exploring patient benefits up to 1 year. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were undertaken. Data were analyzed from January 13, 2022, to March 10, 2023.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to receive either iRARC (n = 169) or ORC (n = 169).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Costs of surgery were calculated using surgery timings and equipment costs, with other hospital data based on counts of activity. Quality-adjusted life-years were calculated from European Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-Level instrument responses. Prespecified subgroup analyses were undertaken based on patient characteristics and type of diversion.

Results

A total of 305 patients with available outcome data were included in the analysis, with a mean (SD) age of 68.3 (8.1) years, and of whom 241 (79.0%) were men. Robot-assisted radical cystectomy was associated with statistically significant reductions in admissions to intensive therapy (6.35% [95% CI, 0.42%-12.28%]), and readmissions to hospital (14.56% [95% CI, 5.00%-24.11%]), but increases in theater time (31.35 [95% CI, 13.67-49.02] minutes). The additional cost of iRARC per patient was £1124 (95% CI, -£576 to £2824 [US $1622 (95% CI, -$831 to $4075)]) with an associated gain in quality-adjusted life-years of 0.01124 (95% CI, 0.00391-0.01857). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £100 008 (US $144 312) per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Robot-assisted radical cystectomy had a much higher probability of being cost-effective for subgroups defined by age, tumor stage, and performance status.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this economic evaluation of surgery for patients with bladder cancer, iRARC reduced short-term morbidity and some associated costs. While the resulting cost-effectiveness ratio was in excess of thresholds used by many publicly funded health systems, patient subgroups were identified for which iRARC had a high probability of being cost-effective.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03049410.

Three-port approach vs conventional laparoscopic radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder: a single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent three-port laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) with orthotopic neobladder (ONB) and traditional five-port method.

METHODS

From January 2017 to November 2020, 100 patients underwent LRC + ONB at a third-level grade A hospital.

RESULTS

Our study included 55 patients who underwent three-port LRC and 45 patients who underwent the five-port method. There were no significant differences in perioperative data such as operation time (253.00 ± 43.89 vs. 259.07 ± 52.31 min, P = 0.530), estimated blood loss (EBL)(97.64 ± 59.44 vs. 106.67 ± 55.35 min, P = 0.438), day to flatus (2.25 ± 1.49 vs. 2.76 ± 1.77 days, P = 0.128), day to regular diet (7.07 ± 2.99 vs. 7.96 ± 3.32 days, P = 0.165), day to pelvic drain removal (9.58 ± 3.25 vs. 10.53 ± 3.80 days, P = 0.180), and hospital stay after operation (11.62 ± 3.72 vs. 11.84 ± 4.37 days, P = 0.780) between the two groups. The only significant difference was in the treatment cost (P = 0.035). Similarly, postoperative complications, quality of life, and tumor outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The three-port method is safe and feasible for patients suitable for traditional five-port LRC with an orthotopic neobladder.

Robotic Versus Open Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Synthesizing the Data from Current Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

This is a summary of existing systematic reviews comparing robotic assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with open radical cystectomy (ORC). Our aim was to compare operative approaches with respect to perioperative, postoperative, oncologic, and health-related quality of life (QOL) outcomes. We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE, Medline-in-Process and Medline Epubs Ahead of Print, and the Cochrane Library on 22 February 2022. We included reviews of adult patients with bladder cancer undergoing RARC or ORC for muscle invasive or high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Nonrandomized studies were excluded to minimize confounding and selection bias. The GRADE approach was used to determine the confidence in estimates. We assessed the quality of identified systematic reviews using AMSTAR 2 checklist. Six well-conducted, systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. RARC was consistently associated with lower estimated blood loss (EBL) and transfusion rates, and longer operative time. There was inconsistent evidence for the impact of RARC on hospital length of stay (LOS). There was no significant difference in overall complication rate or major complication rate, or oncologic outcomes between groups. Comparison of QOL outcomes between studies was limited by statistical and methodological heterogeneity. RARC is associated with improvement in EBL and transfusion risk. There does not appear to be differences in oncologic outcomes or complications between approaches. Prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of diversion type, technique, and recovery pathways on patient outcomes and to assess the impact of operative approach on cost and patient-reported QOL.

Robotic-assisted versus standard laparoscopic radical cystectomy in bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) versus laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) in the treatment of bladder cancer.

Methods

Two researchers independently searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and CBM using the index words to identify the qualified studies which included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (prospective and retrospective studies), and the investigators scanned references of these articles to prevent missing articles. Differences in clinical outcomes between the two procedures were analyzed by calculating odds risk (OR) and mean difference (MD) with an associated 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Sixteen comparative studies were included in the meta-analysis with 1467 patients in the RARC group and 897 patients in the LRC group. The results indicated that RARC could significantly decrease blood loss (P = 0.01; MD: -82.56, 95% CI: -145.04 to -20.08), and complications 90 days or more after surgery, regardless of whether patients were Grade ≤ II (P = 0.0008; OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48 to 0.82) or Grade ≥ III (P = 0.006; OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.86), as well as overall complications (P: 0.01; OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.85). However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups at total operative time, intraoperative complications, transfusion rate, short-term recovery, hospital stay, complications within 30 days of surgery, and bladder cancer-related mortality.

Conclusions

The meta-analysis demonstrates that RARC is a safe and effective treatment for bladder cancer, like LRC, and patients with RARC benefit from less blood loss and fewer long-term complications related to surgery, and should be considered a viable alternative to LRC. There still need high-quality, larger sample, multi-centric, long-term follow-up RCTs to confirm our conclusion.

Protocol for CAMUS Delphi Study: A Consensus on Comprehensive Reporting and Grading of Complications After Urological Surgery

BACKGROUND

Reproducible assessment of postoperative complications is essential for reliable evaluation of quality of care to enable comparison between healthcare centres and ensure transparent patient counselling. Currently, significant discrepancies exist in complication reporting and grading due to heterogeneous definitions and methodologies.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a standardised and reproducible assessment of perioperative complications and overall associated morbidity, to allow for the construction of a uniform language for complication reporting and grading.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The 12-part REDCap-based Delphi survey was developed in conjunction with methodologist review and experienced urologist opinion. International urologists, anaesthetists, and intensive care unit specialists will be included. A minimum sample size of 750 participants (500 urologists and 250 critical care specialities) is targeted.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The survey assesses participant demographics, opinion on complication reporting and the proposed Complications After Major & Minor Urological Surgery (CAMUS) reporting recommendations, grading of intervention events using the existing Clavien-Dindo classification and the proposed CAMUS classification, and rating of various clinical scenarios. Consensus will be defined as ≥75% majority agreement. If consensus is not reached, then subsequent Delphi rounds will be performed under steering committee guidance.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Twenty-one participants completed the draft survey. The median survey completion time was 128 min (interquartile range 88-135). The survey revealed that 90% of participants believe that the current complication classification systems are useful but inaccurate, while 100% of participants believe that there is a universal demand for reporting consensus. Several amendments were made following feedback. Limitations include complexity of the proposed supplemental grades and time to completion of the survey.

CONCLUSIONS

To ensure comprehensive and comparable complication reporting and grading across centres worldwide, a conclusive uniform language for complication reporting must be created. We intend to address shortcomings of the current complication reporting and classification systems with a new CAMUS classification system developed through multidisciplinary expert consensus obtained through a Delphi survey. Ultimately, standardisation of urological complication reporting and grading may improve patient counselling and quality of care.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The reporting and grading of operative complications that occur during or after an operation and associated costs provide a means to stratify quality of patient care. Current complication reporting and classification systems are not standardised and somewhat inaccurate, and thus significantly underestimate patient morbidity and surgical risk. This Delphi survey will provide the basis for the creation of a uniform complication reporting and grading system. Our new system may allow improved reporting and grading between centres, and ultimately improve patient counselling and care.

Research on the Economics of Cancer-Related Health Care: An Overview of the Review Literature

We reviewed current literature reviews regarding economics of cancer-related health care to identify focus areas and gaps. We searched PubMed for systematic and other reviews with the Medical Subject Headings "neoplasms" and "economics" published between January 1, 2010, and April 1, 2020, identifying 164 reviews. Review characteristics were abstracted and described. The majority (70.7%) of reviews focused on cost-effectiveness or cost-utility analyses. Few reviews addressed other types of cancer health economic studies. More than two-thirds of the reviews examined cancer treatments, followed by screening (15.9%) and survivorship or end-of-life (13.4%). The plurality of reviews (28.7%) cut across cancer site, followed by breast (20.7%), colorectal (11.6%), and gynecologic (8.5%) cancers. Specific topics addressed cancer screening modalities, novel therapies, pain management, or exercise interventions during survivorship. The results indicate that reviews do not regularly cover other phases of care or topics including financial hardship, policy, and measurement and methods.

ERAS vs. Traditional Protocol in Patients Who Had Radical Cystectomy with Ileal Conduit: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of 182 Cases

Objective

To examine the effects of ERAS protocol application on hospital stay, postoperative antibiotic use, and gastrointestinal recovery time in radical cystectomy patients with ileal conduit.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included 182 patients (112 traditional vs. 72 ERAS) who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) with ileal conduit between November 2017 and December 2020. Patients were compared in terms of time to start enteral feeding (SEF), length of hospital stay (LOS), time to first stool, duration of postoperative intravenous antibiotic use, postoperative ileus rate, and serum albumin levels.

Results

The traditional and ERAS groups contained 112 and 72 patients, respectively. LOS (14.79 ± 6.44 vs. 10.44 ± 4.64 days, p=0.003), first stool time (4.43 ± 2.39 vs. 2.89 ± 1.81 days, p=0.011), and duration of postoperative intravenous antibiotic use (8.79 ± 5.17 vs. 4.61 ± 4.90, p=0.004) were to be found significantly shorter in the ERAS group.

Conclusion

According to the results of this study, the ERAS protocol shortened the length of hospital stay, duration of antibiotic use, and time of first stool in patients who underwent RC with ileal conduit.

Three-port approach vs standard laparoscopic radical cystectomy with an ileal conduit: a single-centre retrospective study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the three-port approach and conventional five-port laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) with an ileal conduit.

METHODS

Eighty-four patients, who were diagnosed with high-risk non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma and underwent LRC with an ileal conduit between January 2018 and April 2020, were retrospectively evaluated. Thirty and fifty-four patients respectively underwent the three-port approach and five-port LRC. Clinical characteristics, pathological data, perioperative outcomes, and follow-up data were analysed.

RESULTS

There were no differences in perioperatively surgical outcome, including pathology type, prostate adenocarcinoma incidence, tumour staging, and postoperative creatinine levels between the two groups. The operative time (271.3 ± 24.03 vs. 279.57 ± 48.47 min, P = 0.299), estimated blood loss (65 vs. 90 mL, P = 0.352), time to passage of flatus (8 vs. 10 days, P = 0.084), and duration of hospitalisation post-surgery (11 vs. 12 days, P = 0.922) were no clear difference between both groups. Compared with the five-port group, the three-port LRC group was related to lower inpatient costs (12 453 vs. 14 134 $, P = 0.021). Our follow-up results indicated that the rate of postoperative complications, 90-day mortality, and the oncological outcome did not show meaningful differences between these two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-port LRC with an ileal conduit is technically safe and feasible for the treatment of bladder cancer. On comparing the three-port LRC with the five-port LRC, our technique does not increase the rate of short-term and long-term complications and tumour recurrence, but the treatment costs of the former were reduced.

Radical Cystectomy in England from 2013 to 2019 on 12,644 patients: An analysis of national trends and comparison of surgical approaches using Hospital Episode Statistics data

Introduction

We evaluate the data of 12,644 Radical Cystectomies in England (Open, Robotic and Laparoscopic) with trends in the adaption of techniques and post-operative complications.

Methods

This analysis utilised national Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) from NHS England.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase (P < .001) in the number of Robotic assisted radical cystectomies from 10.8% in 2013-2014 and 39.5% in 2018-2019.The average LOS reduced from 12.3 to 10.8 days for RARC from 2013 to 2019 similarly the LOS reduced from 16.2 to 14.3 for ORC. The rate of sepsis (0-90 days) did rise from 5% to 14.5% between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 for the entire cohort (P < .001). Acute renal failure (ARF) increased over the years from 9.5% to 17% (P < .001). The rate for fever, UTI, critical care activity and ARF were higher for ORC than RARC (P < .001).The comparison of all episodes within 90 days for conduit versus non-conduit diversions showed significantly higher rates of sepsis, infections, UTI and fever in non-conduit group .Overall complications were significantly higher in non-conduit group throughout the duration except was year 2016-17(P < .001).The robotic approach has increased in last 5 years with nearly 40% of the cystectomies now being robotically in 2018-19 from the initial percentage of 10.8% in 2013-14.

Conclusion

This evaluation of the HES data from NHS England for 12,644 RC confirms an increase in the adoption of Robotic Cystectomy. Our data confirms the need to develop strategies with enhanced recovery protocols and post-operative close monitoring following Radical Cystectomy in order to reduce post-operative complications.

Orthotopic urinary diversions after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: lessons learned last decade

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Orthotopic urinary diversion (OUD), or neobladder, is believed to be the gold standard for surgical bladder reconstruction following radical cystectomy though it is performed far less often than ileal conduits. As both a continent and intracavitary diversion, OUDs offer unique advantages for patients. Their utilization has decreased overall though, especially with the advent of robotic surgery. In this review, we will cover patient selection for OUD, functional outcomes (i.e., continence, sexual activity, quality of life [QoL]), and robotic orthotopic diversions.

RECENT FINDINGS

OUDs have seen a proportionally greater decline in utilization compared with ileal conduits as the number of robotic radical cystectomies being performed with intracorporeal diversions increases. Multiple robotic series have demonstrated less perioperative blood loss and shorter hospital stays when compared with the open approach though operative times are longer, the learning curve is steeper, and overall costs may be higher in some settings. Perioperative safety and short-term oncological outcomes appear comparable. Since robotic OUDs are relatively new, functional outcomes are not yet well established. Patient satisfaction with urinary diversion is associated with informed decision-making tailored to the patient. A thorough understanding of expected short- and long-term functional outcomes and the care required to maintain an OUD improves QoL and satisfaction with diversion choice.

SUMMARY

Given the potential advantages of OUD, its decreasing use is a remarkable trend. Shared decision-making and a patient-centered approach should be used when selecting the type of urinary diversion.

A comparison of robotic-assisted splenectomy and laparoscopic splenectomy for children with hematologic disorders

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is the standard of care for hematologic disorders requiring splenectomy. Less is known about the outcomes following robotic-assisted splenectomy (RS) for this indication. Our aim was to describe outcomes of RS to LS in pediatric patients with hematologic disorders in our institution.

METHODS

A single institution retrospective review was performed of pediatric patients undergoing LS vs. RS from 2014 to 2019. Patient demographics, diagnosis, spleen size, hospital length of stay (LOS), operative time, post-operative opioid use, and hospital charges were evaluated. Standard univariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were included in the study (14 LS, 10 RS). The mean spleen size at the time of surgery was larger in the RS group compared to LS (14.5 cm vs. 12.2 cm, p = 0.03). Operative time between the two cohorts was comparable (RS 140.5 vs LS 154.9 min). Median LOS for RS was shorter than LS (2.1 vs. 3.2 days, p = 0.02). Cumulative postoperative opioid analgesic requirements were not significantly different between the groups (17.4 mg vs. 30.5 mg). The median hospital charges, including the surgical procedure and hospital stay were higher in the RS group ($44,724 RS vs $30,255 LS, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Robotic splenectomy is a safe and feasible option for pediatric patients with hematologic disorders, and was associated with decreased LOS but higher charges compared to laparoscopic splenectomy. Further studies are required to delineate the optimal use and potential benefits of robot-assisted surgical techniques in children.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

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.

Bladder-embedded ectopic intrauterine device with calculus

The present study aimed to analyze the data of embedded intrauterine device (IUD) in the bladder wall with the additional presence of calculus. This case series study included 11 female patients with partially or completely embedded IUD in the bladder wall. Their median age was 34 (range, 32-39) years. The median duration of IUD placement was 36 (range, 24-60) months. The median duration of symptoms was 9 (range, 3-12) months. Six patients underwent laparoscopy: the operation duration was 129 (range, 114-162) min, blood loss was 15 (range, 10-25) mL, the hospital stay was 4 (range, 4-4.5) days, the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at 6 h after surgery was 3 (range, 2-6), and the time to removal of the urethral catheter was 7 (range, 7-8) days. Five patients underwent open surgery: the operation duration was 126 (range, 96-192) min, blood loss was 30 (range, 20-50) mL, the hospital stay was 7 (range, 7-15) days, the VAS was 6 (range, 4-9) at 6 h after surgery, and the time to removal of the urethral catheter was 9 (range, 8-17) days. The IUD and bladder stones were successfully removed in all 11 (100%) patients.