Does robotic radical cystectomy affect oncological outcomes in bladder cancer patients?

Abstract

Robot-assisted surgery in urology is now being used in a wide range of procedures. In addition to reconstructive procedures, tumour surgery such as radical cystectomy is of particular importance. While studies on the perioperative quality of robotic-assisted radical cystectomy suggest a favorable impact on morbidity (and thus mortality), the question remains as to what extent the oncological quality is influenced by this procedure in terms of recurrence-free and overall survival.In this context, following a comprehensive literature review, this paper presents data from retrospective cohort comparisons of open and robotic cystectomy, registry data and single centre series on robotic and open cystectomy, and the results of prospective randomised trials.In summary, from an oncological point of view, robotic cystectomy is not inferior to open cystectomy. Overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival data do not differ in retrospective cohort studies, in indirect comparisons of registry data and/or large series, or in prospective studies to date. With regard to the occurrence of atypical metastases after robotic cystectomy, prospective data are currently lacking and retrospective analysis produce conflicting data. However, general oncological outcome seems not to be affected.Thus, robotic-assisted cystectomy is also from an oncological point of view a good option for patients who have an indication for radical cystectomy.