Department of Urology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is a new management option for the treatment of bladder cancer. This study evaluates an initial experience with RARC with ileal conduit diversion in women.

Twenty patients underwent RARC with ileal conduit urinary diversion, including four women, and our surgical technique is described here. A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate clinical stage, tumor grade, operative times, estimated blood loss (EBL), pathologic stage, lymph node pathology, and complications.

Mean patient age was 69.5 years, median operative time was 350 minutes, and median EBL was 300 mL. Median length of stay was 5 days, with the two most recent patients leaving by postoperative day 3. The median number of lymph nodes removed was 12, with one patient revealing node-positive disease. Surgical margins were negative for disease in all patients. No patients required blood transfusion or had major complications.

RARC is a new technique available for the treatment of high-risk or invasive bladder cancer in women. This surgery provides decreased morbidity while maintaining the oncologic goals of traditional radical cystectomy.

Written by
Lowentritt BH, Castle EP, Woods M, Davis R, Thomas R.

Reference
J Endourol. 2008 Apr;22(4):709-12.
doi:10.1089/end.2007.9829

PubMed Abstract
PMID:18419215

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