Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on short-term complications and survival following radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare perioperative and short-term postoperative complication rates between patients receiving radical cystectomy (RC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and patients undergoing RC alone. Secondary objectives were to compare overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinico-pathological data of all patients who received RC between 1996 and 2015 were retrospectively collected. Only patients with RC for muscle-invasive bladder cancer were included in the final analysis. Short-term (30-day) postoperative complications were assessed by registering the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) and dividing into sub-groups: low-grade (LGC) CDC 1-2 and high-grade (HGC) CDC 3-5. To compare populations with similar age, comorbidities and preoperative creatinine, we used a propensity score-adjusted statistical model. Pre- and perioperative predictors of short-term complications were identified using uni- and multivariable models. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 491 patients undergoing RC were included, of whom 102 (20.8%) received NAC. After propensity score covariate adjustment, there was no significant difference in postoperative complications between patients undergoing NAC plus RC and RC alone with an overall complication rate of 69% and 66%, respectively. No significant differences in the 30-day HGC rates (11.76% and 11.83%, respectively) were observed. NAC plus RC patients had worse prognostic factors at baseline; nevertheless, after correction for group differences OS and CSS did not differ from RC only group (5-year OS 61.3% vs. 50.2%, and 5-year CSS 61.8% vs. 57.9% respectively, p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: In appropriately selected patients, exposure to NAC is not associated with increased short-term complications.

Comparison of postoperative complications of ileal conduits versus orthotopic neobladders.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion (UD), with either an ileal conduit (IC) or an orthotopic neobladder (NB), is a complex surgery, in which various complications can occur. In this study, we compared postoperative complication rates after a RC and UD performed for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer or recurring high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer in our center. METHODS: We retrospectively included 604 patients that underwent UDs from December 1996 to August 2015. Complications were classified by type and severity according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictive factors of short-term (≤30 d), intermediate-term (31-90 d), and long-term (>90 d) complications. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-five (74%) and 159 (26%) patients received ICs and NBs, respectively. These groups had significantly different long-term complication rates (IC: 39.7% vs. NB: 49%, P=0.046), but similar short-term (P=0.319) and intermediate-term complication rates (P=0.397). Short-term complications (CDC I-V) were predicted by male gender, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) ≥3, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥3. Compared to minor short-term complications (CDC I-II), major short-term complications (CDC III-V) were predicted by male gender and a previous abdominal/pelvic surgery, and long-term major complications were predicted by the type of UD (NB). CONCLUSIONS: The increasing risk of short-term complications with increasing aCCI and ASA score can be used when counseling the patients who are planned to undergo a RC with UD. Patients that receive NBs should be informed of the increased risk of reoperations compared to an IC.