Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy with Orthotopic Neobladder Reconstruction: Techniques and Functional Outcomes in Males

Little is known regarding functional outcomes after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and intracorporeal neobladder (ICNB) reconstruction. To report on urinary continence (UC) and erectile function (EF) at 12 mo after RARC and ICNB reconstruction and investigate predictors of these outcomes. We used data from a multi-institutional database of patients who underwent RARC and ICNB reconstruction for bladder cancer. The cystoprostatectomy sensu stricto followed the conventional steps. ICNB reconstruction was performed at the physician's discretion according to the Studer/Wiklund, S pouch, Gaston, vescica ileale Padovana, or Hautmann technique. The techniques are detailed in the video accompanying the article. The outcomes measured were UC and EF at 12 mo. A total of 732 male patients were identified with a median age at diagnosis of 64 yr (interquartile range 58–70). The ICNB reconstruction technique was Studer/Wiklund in 74%, S pouch in 1.5%, Gaston in 19%, vescica ileale Padovana in 1.5%, and Hautmann in 4% of cases. The 12-mo UC rate was 86% for daytime and 66% for nighttime continence, including patients who reported the use of a safety pad (20% and 32%, respectively). The 12-mo EF rate was 55%, including men who reported potency with the aid of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (24%). After adjusting for potential confounders, neobladder type was not associated with UC. Unilateral nerve-sparing (odds ratio [OR] 3.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.88–7.85; p < 0.001) and bilateral nerve-sparing (OR 6.25, 95% CI 3.55–11.0; p < 0.001), were positively associated with EF, whereas age (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.91–0.95; p < 0.001) and an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25–0.89; p < 0.02) were inversely associated with EF. RARC and ICNB reconstruction are generally associated with good functional outcomes in terms of UC. EF is highly affected by the degree of nerve preservation, age, and comorbidities. We investigated functional outcomes after robot-assisted removal of the bladder in terms of urinary continence and erectile function. We found that, in general, patients have relatively good functional outcomes at 12 months after surgery.