Robotic versus open cystectomy with ileal conduit for the management of neurogenic bladder: a comparative study

Cystectomy associated with non-continent ileal diversion is a common surgery in patients with neurogenic bladder. Few data are available, especially for the robotic approach. Our purpose was to compare open cystectomy (OC) and robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with ileal conduit, regarding peri- and post-operative outcomes.We included each patient who underwent cystectomy and ileal conduit for neurogenic bladder in a referral-center between January 2017 and November 2021. Data were retrospectively analyzed. Median follow-up was 16.6 months [IQR: 5; 41]. All patients had neurogenic bladder with failure of conservative treatment and/or impacted Quality of Life (QoL). Open cystectomy with non-continent ileal diversion and robot-assisted cystectomy with intra-corporeal non-continent ileal diversion were compared. Primary endpoint was postoperative complications. Secondary endpoints were length of hospital stay (LOS), surgery duration, blood loss and ureteral anastomosis stricture.A total of 123 patients were included, n = 85 (69.1%) undergoing OC and n = 38 (30.9%) RARC. Significant differences were observed for: operative time (OC 266.9 ± 64 vs. RARC 205.8 ± 55.5 min, p 0.001), blood loss (OC 737.7 ± 515.8 vs. RARC 245.8 ± 169.6 ml, p 0.001), delay until feeding resumption (OC 7.1 ± 4.7 vs. RARC 5.5 ± 2.9 days, p = 0.05) and mean LOS (OC 21.6 ± 13.9 vs. RARC 16.2 ± 7.6 days, p = 0.03). In RARC group, there were 10.5% complications Clavien-Dindo 2 whereas 23.8% complications underwent in the OC group (p = 0.1).RARC is a safe approach for management of neurological bladder showing significantly better perioperative outcomes.