Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy: history, techniques and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is a less invasive means of performing the radical cystectomy operation, which holds promise for improved patient morbidity. We review the history, technique and current literature pertaining to RARC and place the current results in context with the open procedure. METHODS: All articles regarding RARC found in PubMed after January 2000 were examined. We selected articles that appeared in high-impact journals, had large patient population size (>80 patients), or were novel in technique or findings. We chose key laparoscopic articles to give reference to the history in transition to robotic radical cystectomy. In addition, we chose classic articles from open radical cystectomy to give reference regarding the newer robotic perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: Studies suggest that a 20-patient learning curve is needed to reach an operative time of 6.5 h, with 30 surgeries performed to reach lymph node counts in excess of 20 (International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium). The only randomized surgical trial comparing open and robotic techniques showed equivalent lymph node yield, which may be surgeon and volume dependent. Literature demonstrates lower estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, early return of bowel function and decreased complications in early small series. CONCLUSION: RARC and urinary diversion are still early in development and limited to centers with extensive robotic experience and volume, although adoption of the robotic approach is becoming more common. Early studies have shown promise to reduce complications with equivalent oncologic results.

Cistectomía radical laparoscópica con confección extracorpórea de neovejiga ortotópica ileal en forma de ‘‘Y’’ usando sutura mecánica no reabsorbible (Fontana) / Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal creation of a ‘‘Y’’ shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder using non-reabsorbable mechanical suture (Fontana)

Introducción: se describe la técnica y se presentan los resultados preliminares de la técnica decistectomía radical laparoscópica con confección extracorpórea de neovejiga ortotópica ileal en forma de ‘‘Y’’, usando una sutura mecánica no reabsorbible (Fontana). Material y método: se describe paso a paso la técnica y se presenta una serie de 15 pacientes sometidos a esta cirugía entre noviembre de 2005 y agosto de 2009, con especial énfasis en el tiempo de cirugía, tiempo de derivación urinaria, las complicaciones intraoperatorias y postoperatorias, la continencia diurna y nocturna y la frecuencia miccional postoperatoria. Resultados: la mediana de seguimiento de la serie es de 24 meses (6-32). El tiempo quirúrgico medio fue 280 (rango: 210-345) minutos y el tiempo medio de la derivación urinaria fue 54,5 (rango: 40-75) minutos. No se presentaron complicaciones intraoperatorias y el tiempo promedio de hospitalización fue de 7 días (rango: 5-15). Durante el seguimiento se presentaron 5complicaciones postoperatorias tardías, dos cuadros de infección urinaria con buena respuesta al tratamiento antibiótico y tres estenosis de la anastomosis uretero-neovesical, que se han manejado con una dilatación percutánea con balón con un buen resultado funcional. No se han encontrado litiasis en la neovejiga. Se obtuvo continencia diurna completa en 13 de 14 pacientes (92,9%) y nocturna completa en 6 de 14 (42,9%). Un paciente (6,7%) precisa autosondaje limpio intermitente por no presentar micción espontánea. Conclusiones: la neovejiga ortotópica ileal en forma de ‘‘Y’’ usando una sutura mecánica no reabsorbible es una técnica factible, rápida, segura y que permite resultados funcionales prometedores. Se necesita mayor seguimiento para determinar sus resultados a largo plazo (AU)

Introduction: We describe the technique and present the preliminary results of the laparoscopic radical cystectomy technique with the extracorporeal creation of a ‘‘y’’ shaped ileal orthotopicneo bladder using non-absorbable mechanical suture (Fontana). Materials and method: We describe the technique step by step and we present a series of 15 patients that underwent this surgery between November 2005 and August 2009, with special emphasis on the duration of the surgery, urinary diversion time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, daytime and night time continence and the frequency of postoperative micturition. Results: The mean follow-up of the series was 24 months (6-32). The mean duration of surgery was 280 (range 210-345) minutes and the mean urinary diversion time was 54.5 (range 40-75) minutes. There were no intraoperative complications and the average hospitalization time was 7 (range 5-15) days. During the follow-up, there were 5 late postoperative complications, 2cases of urinary infection with good response to antibiotic treatment and 3 uretero-neovesical anastomosis strictures, which were treated with percutaneous balloon dilation, with a good functional result. No lithiasis was found in the neobladder. Complete daytime continence wa sobtained in 13/14 patients (92.9%) and complete night time continence in 6/14 (42.9%). One patient (6.7%) required clean intermittent self-catheterization as the patient did not micturate spontaneously. Conclusions: The creation of a ‘‘Y’’ shaped ileal orthotopic neobladder using non-absorbable mechanical suture is a feasible, fast and safe technique and it provides promising functional results. Further follow-up is required to determine its long-term results (AU)

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy

Open radical cystectomy with lymph node dissection remains the gold standard treatment for recurrent, high-grade, non-muscle-invasive and for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The excellent perioperative and long-term results provided by laparoscopic surgery and the advances in instrumentation design have naturally paved the way for development of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC). In this review, surgical and long-term oncological outcomes of LRC are analysed. The advantages of this technique compared with open surgery are described. The differences between pure laparoscopic technique or laparoscopic cystectomy and extracorporeal urinary diversion have also been analysed (AU)

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Laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

Open radical cystectomy with lymph node dissection remains the gold standard treatment for recurrent, high-grade, non-muscle-invasive and for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The excellent perioperative and long-term results provided by laparoscopic surgery and the advances in instrumentation design have naturally paved the way for development of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC). In this review, surgical and long-term oncological outcomes of LRC are analysed. The advantages of this technique compared with open surgery are described. The differences between pure laparoscopic technique or laparoscopic cystectomy and extracorporeal urinary diversion have also been analysed.

Mis comienzos en laparoscopia / My first steps in laparoscopic surgery

OBJETIVO: El autor describe algo de sus comienzos en laparoscopia, de dónde le vinieron algunas de sus ideas, el porqué y los medios con que contó al empezar. Cuenta brevemente su aportación a la Urología, que puede servir de modelo para los que están empezando. MÉTODOS: Desde que el autor era un adolescente, su padre, que era urólogo, supo transmitirle el entusiasmo por su trabajo; se sentía atraído por el instrumental desde el litotritor de Freyer hasta el resector de Iglesias. También se interesó especialmente por los libros de urología antiguos. Le causaba especial admiración ver operar en directo a don José María Gil Vernet y cuenta que fue el primer urólogo al que le vio usar un laparoscopio para el diagnóstico del testículo abdominal. En 1985, mientras estaba en la universidad de Oxford, se le ocurrió diseñar un sistema de balón para disecar el espacio retropúbico, que al cabo de los años daría lugar a la cirugía extraperitoneal. Al año siguiente tras leer el manual de laparoscopia de Semm, describió la varicocelectomía laparoscópica. Entre sus trabajos destaca el haber descrito en 1993 por primera vez la técnica de la cistectomía radical con conducto ileal laparoscópico. En 1997 ideó un sistema robótico, mediante brazo maestro esclavo, concebido inicialmente para la resección transuretral. RESULTADOS/ CONCLUSIONES: Considera que una buena idea es algo valiosísimo, que no tiene precio, porque a todo aquel que tenga ambiciones y la consiga, le permitirá salir de la mediocridad

OBJECTIVES: The author describes his first steps in laparoscopic surgery and the sources of some of his ideas. He thanks his father’s influence and the technical stimuli that catalysed his scientific curiosity. For the benefit of young urologists at the beginning of their careers he shows how the frustrations of working with the early instruments became the vital challenges that inspired creative solutions. METHODS: His urological surgeon father inspired in his young son a passion for his calling. He developed an immediate and compelling interest in the shape and function of urological instruments like, for example, Freyer’s lithotripter and the Iglesias resectoscope. Books of urological history and the works of pioneer urologists fascinated him. Watching José María Gil Vernet operate particularly impressed him and he says that Gil Vernet was the first urologist he saw using a laparoscope to diagnose an abdominal testicle. While working in an Oxford University hospital in 1985, he designed a balloon device to dissect the retropubic space. This procedure was the precursor of what several years later became extraperitoneal surgery. The following year, he read the manual of Semm’s laparoscopy and later described a laparoscopic varicocelectomy. In 1993, he published the first description of a laparoscopic radical cystectomy and ileal conduit. In 1997, he adapted a surgical robotic system with a master-slave arm to carry out firstly a transurethral resection. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: He says that a good idea is beyond price because it helps the inspired individual to make true a long-held ambition and achieve the signal success that lifts him out of the mud of mediocrity