Comparison of perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted radical cystectomy and laparoscopic radical cystectomy

Abstract

Objective: To report perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted radical cystectomy and laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

Patients and methods: Between January 2010 and July 2019, 298 patients with bladder cancer underwent robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) (n = 172) and laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) (n = 126) at our institution were enrolled in the retrospective study. The demographic, perioperative, and complication data were collected and analyzed.

Results: The RARC group had less operative duration (P < .001), less blood loss (P < .001), lower transfusion rate (P < .05), and shorter hospital stay (P < .001) than the LRC group. The 90-day readmission rate between the RARC and LRC group had no significant differences (P = .401). The 90-day overall complication rates in the RARC group was much lower than the LRC group (P = .009). The 90-day minor complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade ≤ IIA) between the RARC and LRC groups were similar (P = .274). The 90-day major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ IIIA) in the LRC group was higher than the RARC group (P = .022).

Conclusions: The RARC approach appears to offer some operative and perioperative benefits compared with the LRC approach. Larger, randomized studies are required to confirm these findings.

Keywords: bladder cancer; laparoscopic radical cystectomy; perioperative outcomes; robot assisted radical cystectomy.