Background: To summarize the current evidence on robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD) and compare perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications of patients undergoing RARC with extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD) and ICUD. Patients and Methods: Through a systematical search of multiple scientific databases in March 2020, we performed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest. Also, we assessed the quality of the relevant evidence according to the framework in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Results: Thirteen studies with 4696 participants were included in this review. No significant differences were found between the ECUD and ICUD in operation time (OT) (mean difference [MD]: -6.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -35.20 to 22.30), length of stay (MD: 0.36, 95% CI: -0.81 to 1.54), 30-day overall complications (odds ratio [OR]: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.60-1.41), 30-day minor complications (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.85-2.19), 30-day major complications (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.34-1.43), 90-day overall complications (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.83-2.18), and major complications (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.68-1.57). However, less estimate blood loss (MD: 99.28 mL, 95% CI: 62.59-135.98), lower intraoperative blood transfusion (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.09-2.95), shorter oral intake time (MD: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.43-1.14), and 90-day minor complications (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.08-2.73) were associated with ICUD. The subgroup analysis showed less estimated blood loss (MD: 149.73, 95% CI: 21.33-278.13) and less OT (MD: 32.45, 95% CI: 14.37-50.53) were found in ICUD. Conclusions: The ICUD is a safe and feasible alternative to ECUD, which decreases the need for blood transfusion and reduces 90-day complications. However, further quality studies are needed to evaluate effectiveness of ICUD and its oncologic outcomes, functional outcomes, cost, and the quality of life.
Keywords: bladder neoplasms; cystectomy; robotic surgical procedures; treatment outcomes; urinary diversion.