[Laparoscopic radical cystectomy: innovations and classics]

Abstract

Introduction: Radical cystectomy remains the gold-standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. To combine the advantages of minimally invasive interventions and the well-established open surgery, we attempted to reproduce as accurately as possible the technique of open radical cystectomy using a laparoscopic procedure.

Materials and methods: The study comprised 35 patients (27 men and 8 women) with invasive bladder cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) between April 2013 and March 2016. The study included only patients with fully intra-corporal ileum conduits.

Results: The operating time averaged 378 min., the mean blood loss was 285 ml, the mean postoperative hospital stay was 12.4 days. Only 20% of patients needed postoperative opioid analgesia. Postoperative complications occurred in 11.4% of patients. The vast majority of them were successfully managed by minimally invasive methods.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is a safe and effective treatment modality for invasive bladder cancer. However, more patients and a longer observation period are needed to recommend the method as a standard of care.

Keywords: ileum conduit; intracorporeal reservoir formation; laparoscopic radical cystectomy.