The first series of laparoscopic radical cystectomies done in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Radical cystectomy (RC) with extended lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion remains the standard of care for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma. Laparoscopic radical cystectomies (LRC) have been performed at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) since 2009. We aimed to audit our data regarding complications and oncological outcome and compare it to data obtained from patients undergoing open radical cystectomy (ORC) by the same surgeon since 2007.
Methods: All adult patients who underwent open and laparoscopic RC from 2007 to 2013 have been included in the study. Data on demographics, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, margin positivity, and lymph nodes was obtained retrospectively by means of folder review.
Results: Thirty (30) patients who underwent LRC and 32 who underwent ORC were included in the study. Participants undergoing ORC experienced shorter operative duration (301 minutes versus 382 minutes; p-value < 0.0001), increased blood loss (1376 ml versus 779ml; p-value = 0.0023) and transfusion requirement (2 units versus 0; p-value = 0.071) in contrast to LRC. Postoperative complications were more prevalent in the ORC arm compared to the LRC arm (61% versus 43%). Patients with a past medical history were at higher risk of experiencing postoperative complications (p-value = 0.04; Risk Ratio: 1.6). Margin positivity was comparable between the two arms. A higher number of nodes was sampled by the laparoscopic technique in this study (overall p-value = 0.07).
Conclusion: Laparoscopic RC is associated with longer operative times, decreased blood loss, and equivalent oncological outcomes when compared to ORC. Laparoscopic RC is a feasible option in our setting.