Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy Versus Open Radical Cystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Perioperative, Oncological, and Quality of Life Outcomes Using Randomized Controlled Trials

Pramit Khetrapal, Joanna Kae Ling Wong, Wei Phin Tan, Thiara Rupasinghe, Wei Shen Tan, Stephen B. Williams, Stephen A. Boorjian, Carl Wijburg, Dipen J. Parekh, Peter Wiklund, Nikhil Vasdev, Muhammad Shamim Khan, Khurshid A. Guru, James W.F. Catto, John D. Kelly

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context: Differences in recovery, oncological, and quality of life (QoL) outcomes between open radical cystectomy (ORC) and robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for patients with bladder cancer are unclear. Objective: This review aims to compare these outcomes within randomized trials of ORC and RARC in this context. The primary outcome was the rate of 90-d perioperative events. The secondary outcomes included operative, pathological, survival, and health-related QoL (HRQoL) measures. Evidence acquisition: Systematic literature searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov were performed up to May 31, 2022. Evidence synthesis: Eight trials, reporting 1024 participants, were included. RARC was associated with a shorter hospital length of stay (LOS; mean difference [MD] 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03–0.39, p = 0.02) than and similar complication rates to ORC. ORC was associated with higher thromboembolic events (odds ratio [OR] 1.84, 95% CI 1.02–3.31, p = 0.04). ORC was associated with more blood loss (MD 322 ml, 95% CI 193–450, p < 0.001) and transfusions (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.65–3.36, p < 0.001), but shorter operative time (MD 76 min, 95% CI 39–112, p < 0.001) than RARC. No differences in lymph node yield (MD 1.07, 95% CI –1.73 to 3.86, p = 0.5) or positive surgical margin rates (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.54–1.67, p = 0.9) were present. RARC was associated with better physical functioning or well-being (standardized MD 0.47, 95% CI 0.29–0.65, p < 0.001) and role functioning (MD 8.8, 95% CI 2.4–15.1, p = 0.007), but no improvement in overall HRQoL. No differences in progression-free survival or overall survival were seen. Limitations may include a lack of generalization given trial patients. Conclusions: RARC offers various perioperative benefits over ORC. It may be more suitable in patients wishing to avoid blood transfusion, those wanting a shorter LOS, or those at a high risk of thromboembolic events. Patient summary: This study compares robot-assisted keyhole surgery with open surgery for bladder cancer. The robot-assisted approach offered less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and fewer blood clots. No other differences were seen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)393-405
Number of pages13
JournalEuropean Urology
Volume84
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Bladder cancer
  • Complications
  • Cystectomy
  • Open radical cystectomy
  • Quality of life
  • Radical cystectomy
  • Robot-assisted radical cystectomy
  • Robotic surgery
  • Survival

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Urology

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