Background
It was aimed to compare open versus robotic‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal ileal conduit (ICIC), versus RARC with extracorporeal ileal conduit (ECIC) formation for bladder cancer.
Materials and Methods
Open, RARC‐ECIC and RARC‐ICIC groups were compared in terms of patient demographics, operative and postoperative parameters, pathological parameters, complications and functional outcomes.
Results
Mean operative times were lower in the RARC‐ECIC group (p = 0.004). Mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the robotic groups. The blood transfusion was lower in RARC‐ICIC groups (p < 0.001). Rates of stage pT3–4 disease were the highest in the RARC‐ICIC group (p = 0.004). LOS was significantly shorter in the RARC‐ICIC group (p = 0.01). Numbers of Clavien 3–5 complications were lower in the robotic groups (p = 0.012).
Conclusions
RARC and ICIC is a complex procedure involving an increased operation time but with the advantages of lower estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, complications and hospital stays compared with open surgery.