Single Incision Robotic Cystectomy and Hybrid Orthotopic Neobladder Reconstruction: A Step by Step Description

Abstract

To describe a new technique for single incision robotic cystectomy and Studer-type ileal neobladder using the single-port (SP) da Vinci SP robotic platform. In April 2021, a 71 year-old patient underwent a single incision robotic cystectomy and orthotopic Studer-type ileal neobladder using the single-port da Vinci SP robotic platform for cT2, cN0 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. He was not a candidate for neoadjuvant cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy and declined participation in a clinical trial. Total operative time was 554 minutes and estimated blood loss was 250 cc. He was discharged on postoperative day six without developing any Clavien complications. He underwent adjuvant chemotherapy for node-positive disease and follow-up through June 2021 was notable for the absence of any significant complications or readmissions. We provide a comprehensive discussion of the required instrumentation, a description of the technique with illustrations, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this technology as it pertains to cystectomy and urinary diversion. We make no claim regarding the superiority of this technique over others, only that it is technically feasible and that the approach holds promise.