Kyle A. Richards

Preoperative Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Overall Survival and Extravesical Disease in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy

PURPOSE To evaluate if hematologic parameters and inflammatory markers could predict extravesical tumor and overall survival after radical cystectomy for patients with recurrent high grade T1 or muscle-invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 68 consecutive cases of radical cystectomy performed with curative intent at our institution between April 2005 and October 2011 with preoperative hematologic parameters are included in this analysis. We evaluated preoperative characteristics with univariable and multivariate Cox proportional hazard ratios to assist in risk stratification for overall survival. Relative risk (RR) ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were created. We also identified factors associated with extravesical tumor extension with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Median overall survival in the total cohort was 25 months (95% CI 13-61). In multivariate analysis, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio <2.5 (RR 2.49; 95% CI 1.14-6.09), hypoalbuminemia (RR 4.96; 95% CI 2.18-11.67), pT3/4 (RR 7.97, 95% CI 3.16-24.83), and lymph node positive disease (RR 2.62, 95% CI 1.26-5.46) predicted overall survival. These were statistically significant for cancer-specific survival as well. Both elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (RR 3.18, 95% CI 1.09-9.79) and hypoalbuminemia (RR 3.72, 95% CI 1.12-15.00) were associated with risk for extravesical disease. CONCLUSIONS Serum neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and hypoalbuminemia predict overall and cancer-specific survival in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. These parameters also predict risk for extravesical disease. These could be combined with other established preoperative parameters to improve risk stratification and preoperative counseling.

Is Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy Justified in the Elderly? A Comparison of Robotic Versus Open Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer in Elderly ≥75 Years Old

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Open radical cystectomy (ORC) or minimally invasive radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node (LN) dissection carries significant morbidity to the elderly because they often have several medical comorbidities that make a surgical approach more challenging. The objective of this study is to compare robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and ORC in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective bladder cancer cystectomy database was queried to identify all patients age ≥75 years. A total of 20 patients were identified for each of the RARC and ORC cohorts. A retrospective analysis was performed on these 40 patients undergoing radical cystectomy for curative intent. RESULTS Patients in both groups had comparable preoperative characteristics and demographics. Patients had significant medical comorbidities with 80% in each cohort having American Society of anesthesiologists classification of 3 and 50% having had previous abdominal surgery. Complete median operative times for RARC was 461 (interquartile range [IQR] 331, 554) vs 370 minutes for ORC (IQR 294, 460) (P=0.056); however, median blood loss for RARC was 275 mL (IQR 150, 450) vs 600 mL for ORC (IQR 500, 1925). The median hospital stay for RARC was 7 days (IQR 5, 8) vs 14.5 days for ORC (IQR 8, 22) (P<0.001). The major complication (Clavien≥III) rate for RARC was 10% compared with 35% for ORC (P=0.024). There were two positive margins in the ORC group compared with one in the RARC group with median LN yields of 15 nodes (IQR 11, 22) and 17 nodes (IQR 10, 25) (P=0.560) respectively. CONCLUSIONS In a comparable cohort of elderly patients, RARC can achieve similar perioperative outcomes without compromising pathologic outcomes, with less blood loss and shorter hospital stays. For an experienced robotic team, RARC should be considered in elderly patients because it may offer significant advantage with respect to perioperative morbidity over ORC.

Does initial learning curve compromise outcomes for robot-assisted radical cystectomy? A critical evaluation of the first 60 cases while establishing a robotics program.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) has gained popularity as a minimally invasive alternative to open radical cystectomy (ORC) for the treatment of patients with bladder cancer. The learning curve (LC) for laparoscopic and robotic surgery can be steep. We aim to evaluate the effect of the initial LC on operative, postoperative, and pathologic outcomes of the first 60 RARC performed at our newly established robotics program. PATIENTS AND METHODS After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval, we reviewed the clinical and pathologic data from 60 consecutive patients with clinically localized bladder cancer who underwent RARC with PLND from January 2008 to March 2010. The patients were grouped into tertiles and assessed for effect of LC using analysis of variance. RESULTS Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were similar across tertiles. The mean total operative time trended down from the 1st to 3rd tertile from 525 minutes to 449 minutes, respectively (P=0.059). Mean estimated blood loss was unchanged across tertiles. Complications decreased as the LC progressed from 14 (70%) in the 1st tertile to 6 (30%) in each of the 2nd and 3rd tertiles (P<0.013). The mean total lymph node yield and number of positive margins were unchanged across tertiles. CONCLUSIONS RARC with PLND can be performed safely at a high-volume newly established robotic surgery program with an experienced team without compromising operative, postoperative, and short-term pathologic outcomes during the LC for surgeons who are experienced in ORC.

The Impact of Running versus Interrupted Anastomosis on Ureterointestinal Stricture Rate after Radical Cystectomy

PURPOSE Benign ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture is not uncommon after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. We studied the impact of the running vs the interrupted technique on the ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS From July 2007 to December 2008 interrupted end-to-side anastomoses were created and from January 2009 to July 2010 running anastomoses were created. The primary study end point was time to ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture. RESULTS Of 266 consecutive patients 258 were alive 30 days after radical cystectomy, including 149 and 109 with an interrupted and a running anastomosis, respectively. The groups did not differ in age, gender, body mass index, age adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, receipt of chemotherapy or radiation, blood loss, operative time, diversion type or postoperative pathological findings. The stricture rate per ureter was 8.5% (25 of 293) and 12.7% (27 of 213) in the interrupted and running groups, respectively (p = 0.14). Univariate analysis suggested that postoperative urinary tract infection (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.1, p = 0.04) and Clavien grade 3 or greater complications (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.4-4.9, p <0.01) were associated with ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture. On multivariate analysis postoperative urinary tract infection (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-5.1, p = 0.02) and running technique (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.7, p = 0.05) were associated with ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture. Median time to stricture and followup was 289 (IQR 120-352) and 351 days (IQR 132-719) in the running cohort vs 213 (IQR 123-417) and 497 days (IQR 174-1,289) in the interrupted cohort, respectively. Of the 52 strictures 33 (63%) developed within 1 year. Kaplan-Meier analysis controlling for differential followup showed a trend toward higher freedom from stricture for the interrupted ureterointestinal anastomosis (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS A running anastomosis and postoperative urinary tract infection may be associated with ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture. Larger series with multiple surgeons are needed to confirm these findings.

Cystectomy and urinary diversion as management of treatment-refractory benign disease: The impact of preoperative urological conditions on perioperative outcomes

To investigate perioperative outcomes associated with cystectomy and urinary diversion for treatment‐refractory benign urological disease.

Perioperative outcomes in radical cystectomy: how to reduce morbidity?

Purpose of review To define the incidence of perioperative morbidity following contemporary radical cystectomy and identify preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative strategies to reduce complications. Recent findings When complications are methodically and systematically recorded, 64% of patients will sustain a complication within 90 days of radical cystectomy. Various preoperative, postoperative, and intraoperative strategies have been identified to reduce morbidity. Prior to surgery, patients should have reversible medical conditions treated, mechanical bowel preparation can be omitted if using small bowel for reconstruction, venous thromboembolism and antimicrobial infection prophylaxis should be initiated, nutrition should be optimized, and patient education should be provided. During surgery, complications can be attenuated by utilizing meticulous surgical technique, minimizing blood loss, fluid management can be guided by transesophageal cardiovascular Doppler, and lower extremity repositioning should be performed as soon as feasible. After surgery, early mobilization, incentive spirometry, early nasogastric tube removal, alvimopan usage, and judicious jejunostomy tube feeding, or total parenteral nutrition usage may reduce morbidity. Summary Morbidity is common following radical cystectomy, but careful attention to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative details can help reduce this risk.

The effect of length of ureteral resection on benign ureterointestinal stricture rate in ileal conduit or ileal neobladder urinary diversion following radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of the length of the ureter resected and other clinical variables on ureterointestinal anastomotic (UIA) stricture rate following radical cystectomy and ileal segment urinary diversion. METHODS AND MATERIALS We identified 519 consecutive patients who underwent cystectomy and ileal conduit or ileal orthotopic neobladder diversion from January 2007 to August 2012. The length of the ureter resected was defined as the length of the ureter in the cystectomy specimen plus the length of the distal ureter submitted for pathologic analysis. The primary end point was the risk of UIA stricture formation, assessed by Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS A total of 463 patients met the inclusion criteria with complete data. Median follow-up was 459 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 211-927). Median time to stricture formation was 235 (IQR: 134-352) and 232 days (IQR: 132-351) on the right and the left ureter, respectively. Overall stricture rate per ureter was 5.9% on the right vs. 10.0% on the left (P = 0.03). There was no difference in demographic, operative, or perioperative variables between patients with and without UIA strictures. On multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, anastomosis technique (running vs. interrupted), and length of ureter resected, only a Clavien complication≥III (hazard ratio = 2.11, 1.01-4.40) and urine leak (hazard ratio = 3.37, 1.08-10.46) significantly predicted for left- and right-sided stricture formation, respectively. The length of the ureter resected did not predict UIA stricture formation on either side. CONCLUSIONS The etiology of benign UIA strictures following ileal urinary diversion is likely multifactorial. Our data suggest that a complicated postoperative course and urine leak are risk factors for UIA stricture formation. The length of the distal ureter resected did not significantly affect stricture rate.

Prospective Health-related Quality of Life Analysis for Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion

OBJECTIVE To better define health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients undergoing RC and urinary diversion for urothelial carcinoma by 1 of 2 surgeons (G.D.S. or N.D.S.) had a HRQOL assessment at baseline and at follow-up using the validated, bladder cancer-specific Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index questionnaire. The primary outcome was change in HRQOL between baseline and follow-up. RESULTS From September 15, 2011, to July 23, 2012, 74 of 103 eligible patients were enrolled, and all but 1 completed the baseline Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index leaving 73 patients in the study. Median age was 68 years (interquartile range, 60-74 years), 58 (78%) were Caucasian, 53 (73%) were ≥ cT2, 45 (62%) underwent incontinent diversion, and the mean age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 2.4 ± 1.8, with no significant differences among the 73 participants and 30 nonparticipants. The median time from surgery to response was 175 days (interquartile range, 102-232 days), and the response rate was 67%, with 9 deaths during follow-up. Baseline HRQOL scores did not significantly differ between respondents and nonrespondents or between those living vs deceased. Overall, RC-specific, physical, social, and functional HRQOL scores did not differ from baseline to follow-up, whereas emotional HRQOL scores were significantly improved (15.7 ± 5.8 vs 18.1 ± 3.9, P = .03). Overall or domain-specific HRQOL measures did not differ significantly between patients undergoing incontinent (n = 27) vs continent (n = 16) diversions. CONCLUSION Overall, HRQOL scores did not statistically differ from baseline to the median 6-month follow-up for patients undergoing RC and urinary diversion for urothelial carcinoma. Patients undergoing continent vs incontinent urinary diversions had similar overall HRQOL scores at follow-up.

Urinary tract infection‐like symptom is associated with worse bladder cancer outcomes in the Medicare population: Implications for sex disparities

To determine the time to bladder cancer diagnosis from initial infection‐like symptoms and its impact on cancer outcomes.

Robotic Radical Cystectomy: Where are We Today, Where will We be Tomorrow?

While open radical cystectomy remains the gold-standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer and high-risk non–muscle invasive disease, robotic assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) has been gaining popularity over the past decade. The robotic approach has the potential advantages of less intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospital stay, less post-operative narcotic requirement, quicker return of bowel function, and earlier convalescence with an acceptable surgical learning curve for surgeons adept at robotic radical prostatectomy. While short to intermediate term oncologic results from several small RARC series are promising, bladder cancer remains a potentially lethal malignancy necessitating long-term follow-up. This article aims to review the currently published literature, important technical aspects of the operation, oncologic and functional outcomes, and the future direction of RARC.