Background: Open revision of ureteroenteric strictures (UESs) is associated with considerable morbidity. There is a lack of data evaluating the feasibility of robotic revisions.
Objective: To analyze the perioperative and functional outcomes of robot-assisted ureteroenteric reimplantation (RUER) for the management of UESs after radical cystectomy (RC).
Design setting and participants: A retrospective multicenter study of 61 patients, who underwent 63 RUERs at seven high-volume institutions between 2009 and 2020 for benign UESs after RC, was conducted.
Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Data were reviewed for demographics, stricture characteristics, and perioperative outcomes. Variables associated with being stricture free after an RUER were evaluated using a multivariate Cox regression analysis.
Results and limitations: Among 63 RUERs, 22 were right sided (35%), 34 left sided (54%), and seven bilateral (11%). Twenty-seven (44%) had prior abdominal/pelvic surgery and five (8%) radiotherapy (RT). Thirty-two patients had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores I-II (52%) and 29 ASA III (48%). Forty-two (68%) RUERs were in ileal conduits, 18 (29%) in neobladders, and two (3%) in Indiana pouch. The median time to diagnosis of a UES from cystectomy was 5 (3-11) mo. Of the UESs, 28 (44%) failed an endourological attempt (balloon dilatation/endoureterotomy). The median RUER operative time was 195 (175-269) min. No intraoperative complications or conversions to open approach were reported. Twenty-three (37%) patients had postoperative complications (20 [32%] were minor and three [5%] major). The median length of hospital stay was 3 (1-6) d and readmissions were 5%. After a median follow-up of 19 (8-43) mo, 84% of cases were stricture free. Lack of prior RT was the only variable associated with better stricture-free survival after RUER (hazard ratio 6.8, 95% confidence interval 1.10-42.00, p = 0.037). The study limitations include its retrospective nature and the small number of patients.
Conclusions: RUER is a feasible procedure for the management of UESs. Prospective and larger studies are warranted to prove the safety and efficacy of this technique.
Patient summary: In this study, we investigate the feasibility of a novel minimally invasive technique for the management of ureteroenteric strictures. We conclude that robotic reimplantation is a feasible and effective procedure.
Keywords: Bladder cancer; Postoperative complications; Radical cystectomy; Robot-assisted ureteroenteric reimplantation; Ureteroenteric stricture.
© 2021 The Author(s).