Preliminary results of perioperative outcomes and oncologic efficacy from a single-institution randomized controlled trial of open versus robotic-assisted radical cystectomy.

Abstract

305 Background: In the past decade minimally invasive robotic assisted approaches have emerged as a viable option for the treatment of many urologic malignancies. Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for bladder cancer has been reported with the potential for lower blood loss, less transfusion requirement, and shorter hospital stay in prior studies. We present preliminary data from a single institution prospective randomized clinical trial of open radical cystectomy (ORC) versus RARC. Methods: Prospective randomized single institution series evaluating the feasibility of ORC versus RARC for consecutive patients was performed from July 2009 to June 2011. Oncologic efficacy was assessed based on the surrogates of total number of lymph nodes removed and positive surgical margins. Perioperative morbidity was assessed evaluating for estimated blood loss, transfusion requirements, length of stay and perioperative morbidity. Results: To date 46 patients have been randomized with data available on 39 patients for analysis. Each group was similar with regards to age, sex, race, BMI, comorbidities, and previous abdominal procedures, operative time, and final pathologic stage. We observed no significant difference between oncologic outcomes of positive surgical margins (5% vs 5.263%, p 0.48) or number of LN removed (11 vs 23, p 0.40) for the RARC versus ORC groups respectively. The RARC group was noted to have decreased estimated blood loss (400 mL vs 800 mL, p 0.008) and a trend towards decreased rate of excessive length of stay (>5 days) (65% vs 84%, p 0.17) for the RARC versus ORC groups. The robotic group had a trend towards decreased rate of transfusion however this was not statistically significant (40% versus 53%, p 0.26). Conclusions: Our preliminary findings from a single institution randomized trial of RARC versus ORC indicates that RARC has equivalent oncologic outcomes as measured by positive surgical margins and total number of lymph node removed. RARC demonstrates Perioperative benefits of decreased blood loss, fewer excessive hospital stays, and a trend toward fewer transfusions that was not significant.