Robotic Assisted Radical Cystectomy vs Open Radical Cystectomy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes important to patients in those undergoing robot-assisted and open radical cystectomy.Multiple scientific databases were searched up to July 2018 for randomized, controlled trials comparing robot-assisted and open radical cystectomy. The primary outcomes of interest were disease progression, major (Clavien III-V) complications and 90-day quality of life. The quality of evidence was evaluated according to the framework in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.Five studies with a total of 540 participants were included in this review. There was no difference between robot-assisted and open radical cystectomy in disease progression (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.29), major complications (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.75-1.49) or quality of life (standardized mean difference -0.03, 95% CI -0.27-0.21). However, robot-assisted radical cystectomy demonstrated a reduced risk of perioperative blood transfusion (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43-0.80) and a marginally shorter hospital stay (RR -0.63 days, 95% CI -1.21-0.05). Operative time was longer in the robot-assisted group (mean difference 68.51 minutes, 95% CI 30.55-105.48). There was no statistically significant difference in local recurrence rates between the procedures (RR 2.08, 95% CI 0.96-4.50) but this difference may be clinically significant and it favored open radical cystectomy. The overall quality of evidence was judged to be moderate.Surgical approach does not have a considerable impact on oncologic, safety and quality of life outcomes in patients who undergo radical cystectomy. The benefits conferred by robot-assisted radical cystectomy are a decreased need for blood transfusion and earlier hospital discharge.