Search

Treatment for bladder diverticula may become necessary in case of incomplete bladder emptying or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI). When bladder outlet obstruction is present, a simultaneous desobstructive procedure can be performed. In this video, we present our technique for a transvesical approach in robot-assisted bladder diverticulectomy (RABD) and discuss its outcomes. We retrospectively analysed the outcomes of 23 patients who underwent a transvesical RABD between March 2015 and May 2020 at the OLV hospital of Aalst. After retrograde filling, a cystotomy is performed. The orifices are identified and the bladder diverticulum is visualized. The mucosa covering the diverticular neck is incised and the plane between the mucosa and the muscularis is identified. The mucosa is separated from the surrounding structures. The base of the diverticulum is transected using cautery. The defect is closed with a barbed suture. Median age was 66 years [Interquartile range (IQR) 60-69)]. The number of diverticula removed ranged from 1 to 3. 10 patients were treated with diverticulectomy alone, 12 underwent a simultaneous adenomectomy, 1 a radical prostatectomy. Median operative was 140 min (IQR 120-180), median estimated blood loss was 250 cc (IQR 28-438). Median catheterization time was 2 days (IQR 1-5), median hospitalization time 3 days (IQR 2-4). 1 patient developed urinary leakage after catheter removal, 1 patient developed a UTI. Median follow-up was 9 months (IQR 3,5-14). No late postoperative complications nor relapse were recorded. Average postvoid residual was 42 cc (IQR 0 to 111), with a median decline of 120cc (IQR -402 to -33). Transvesical approach for RABD is a safe and reliable technique which gives the advantage of a quick localization of the diverticulum and orifices, and direct access to the prostate when simultaneous desobstruction is necessary. Catheterisation time is short. No relapse has been observed.

Worldwide, we have witnessed an expansion of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) and thanks to the global adoption of high-resolution diagnostic imaging technologies, an increased incidence of newly diagnosed prostatic, renal and bladder cancers has been recorded with concurrent second primary urological cancer diagnoses increasing by 1.5%. Diverse authors have reported their findings concerning synchronous multi-visceral malignances robotic treatment within the scientific literature. The aim of this study is to comprehensively review all reported articles describing concurrent upper and lower RALS using a singular robotic port scheme within the same intervention for renal malignances and concomitant prostatic or bladder cancers. To the best of our knowledge and vigorous literature search, this is the first study that comprehensively evaluates and reports all combined upper and lower urinary tract surgeries published so far. In carefully selected patients, thanks to multidisciplinary preoperative assessment and surgical planning a combined robotic approach can reduce the morbidity, complications, hospital admissions and the overall length of hospitalization.

Long-term oncologic data on patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for non-metastatic bladder cancer (BCa) are limited. The purpose of this study is to describe long-term oncologic outcomes of patients receiving robotic radical cystectomy at a high-volume European Institution. We analyzed data of 107 patients treated with RARC between 2003 and 2012 at a high-volume robotic center. Clinical, pathologic, and survival data at the latest follow-up were collected. Clinical recurrence (CR)-free survival, cancer-specific mortality (CSM)-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were plotted using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Cox proportional hazard models investigated predictors of CR and CSM. Competing-risk regressions were utilized to depict cumulative incidences of death from BCa and death from other causes after RARC at long term. Pathologic nonorgan-confined BCa was found in 40% of patients, and 7 (7%) patients had positive soft tissue surgical margins. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of nodes removed was 11 (6, 14), and 26% of patients had pN + disease. Median (IQR) follow-up for survivors was 123 (117, 149) months. The 12-year CR-free, CSM-free and overall survival were 55% (95% confidence interval [CI] 44%, 65%), 62% (95% CI 50%, 72%), and 34% (95% CI 24%, 44%), respectively. Nodal involvement on final pathology was associated with poor prognosis on multivariable competing risk analysis. The cumulative incidence of non-cancer death exceeded that of death from BCa after approximately ten years after RARC. We provided relevant data on oncologic outcomes of RARC at a high-volume robotic center, with acceptable rates of clinical recurrence and cancer-specific survival at long-term. In patients treated with RARC, the cumulative incidence of death from causes other than BCa is non-negligible, and should be taken into consideration for post-operative follow-up.

Background: The feasibility and safety of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) may be undermined by unfavorable preoperative surgical characteristics such as previous prostate surgery (PPS). Objective: To compare perioperative outcomes for patients undergoing RARC with versus without a history of PPS. Design, setting, and participants: The study included 220 consecutive patients treated with RARC and pelvic lymph node dissection for bladder cancer at a single European tertiary centre. Of these, 43 had previously undergone PPS, defined as transurethral resection of the prostate/holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (n = 21) or robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (n = 22). Surgical procedure: RARC in patients with a history of PPS. Measurements: Data on postoperative complications were collected according to the quality criteria for accurate and comprehensive reporting of surgical outcomes recommended by the European Association of Urology guidelines. Multivariable logistic, linear, and Poisson regression analyses were performed to test the effect of PPS on surgical outcomes. Results and limitations: Overall, 43 patients (20%) were treated with RARC after PPS. Operative time (OT) was longer in the PPS group (360 vs 330 min; p < 0.001). Patients with PPS experienced higher rates of intraoperative complications (19% vs 6.8%) and higher rates of 30-d (67% vs 39%), and Clavien-Dindo >3 (33% vs 16%) postoperative complications (all p < 0.05). Moreover, the positive surgical margin (PSM) rate after RARC was higher in the PPS group (14% vs 4%; p = 0.03). On multivariable analyses, PPS at RARC independently predicted higher risk of intraoperative (odds ratio [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–6.21; p = 0.01) and 30-d complications (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.05–5.22; p = 0.02), as well as longer OT (relative risk [RR] 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.05; p = 0.02) and length of stay (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.26; p = 0.02). Lack of randomization represents the main limitation. Conclusions: RARC in patients with a history of PPS is feasible, but it is associated with a higher risk of complications and longer OT and length of stay. Moreover, higher PSM rates have been reported for these patients. Thus, measures aimed at improving surgical outcomes appear to be warranted. Patient summary: We investigated the effect of previous prostate surgery (PPS) on surgical outcomes after robot-assisted removal of the bladder. We found that patients with PPS have a higher risk of complications and longer hospitalization after bladder removal. These patients deserve closer evaluation before this type of bladder operation. Robot-assisted radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in patients with a history of previous prostate surgery is feasible, even if it is associated with worse perioperative outcomes. Thus, measures aimed at improving surgical outcomes in this patient population appear to be warranted.