Transperitoneal vs. extraperitoneal radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: A retrospective study

ABSTRACT Purpose Conventional transperitoneal radical cystectomy (TPRC) is the standard approach for muscle invasive bladder cancer. But, the procedure is associated with significant morbidities like urinary leak, ileus, and infection. To reduce these morbidities, the technique of extraperitoneal radical cystectomy (EPRC) was described by us in 1999. We compared these two approaches and the data accrued forms the basis of this report. Materials and Methods All patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer by the author (JNK) with follow-up for at least 5 years were included. A total of 338 patients were studied, with 180 patients in EPRC group and 158 in TPRC group. Results There were 3 mortalities within 30 days in TPRC group and one in EPRC group. Early complication rate was 52% and 58% in EPRC and TPRC groups. Urinary leak occurred in 31 (9.2%) patients (13 in EPRC, 18 in TPRC, p=0.19). Gastrointestinal complications like ileus occurred in 9 (5%) patients in EPRC group and in 25 (15.8%) patients in TPRC group, (p<0.001). Wound dehiscence occurred in 29, and 36 patients in EPRC and TPRC groups respectively. The reoperation rate was 6.1% and 12% in EPRC and TPRC groups, (p=0.08). Intestinal obstruction were significantly less in EPRC group (1.7% vs. 7.8% in TPRC group, p=0.002). Uretero-enteric anastomosis stricture was seen in 10 patients (4 in EPRC, 6 in TPRC, p=0.39). Conclusions The EPRC is associated with decrease gastrointestinal complications, ease of management of urinary leaks, and low reoperation rates. Thus EPRC appears safe functionally and oncologically.

Gynecologic-tract sparing extra peritoneal retrograde radical cystectomy with neobladder

OBJECTIVE: We report on a series of female patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder who underwent extraperitoneal retrograde radical cystectomy sparing the female reproductive organs with neobladder creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 female patients between the ages of 45 and 72 years who underwent gynecologic-tract sparing cystectomy (GTSC) with neobladder between 1997 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Our surgical technique is also described. Radical cystectomy is accomplished by a retrograde method sparing the uterus, adnexa, vagina and distal urethra. An orthotopic neobladder was constructed using small bowel or sigmoid colon, brought extraperitoneally, and anastomosed to the distal urethra. RESULTS: Operating time ranged from 4.5 to six hours with a mean of 5.3 hours. Ten patients were able to void satisfactorily while four required self-catheterization for complete emptying of the bladder. Seven patients were continent day and night and another 7 reported varying degrees of daytime and nighttime incontinence. One patient died of metastases and another of pelvic recurrence. There were no urethral recurrences. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was high. CONCLUSIONS: Gynecologic-tract sparing cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder is a viable alternative in female patients with muscle invasive traditional cell carcinoma of the bladder, providing oncological safety with improved quality of life. Our extraperitoneal technique, which is an extension of our successful experience with retrograde extraperitoneal radical cystectomy in men, minimizes intraoperative complications and simplifies the management of post-operative morbidity with the neobladder.

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval thrombus: a teaching hospital experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of patients of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena caval (IVC) thrombus treated by radical nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy in terms of clinical and pathological factors and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients of RCC with IVC thrombus who underwent radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy between June 1993 and May 2003 were included in this retrospective analysis. Data was analyzed in terms of clinical factors, such as level of thrombus and pathological factors, such as grade, local invasion and N status. RESULTS: Tumor thrombus level was infrahepatic in 35 patients, retrohepatic in 20 and suprahepatic in 8, including 5 with right atrial thrombus. The immediate post-operative mortality was 3% and the incidence of major post-operative complications was 34%, but most of them improved after conservative management except one who needed surgery for burst abdomen. The disease free survival (DFS) was 48.5%, 50.6%, 66.6% and 40% for infrahepatic, retrohepatic, suprahepatic and intra-atrial tumors, respectively. Of the histological types, patients with clear cell tumors had the best prognosis; those with granular cell had the worst prognosis (DFS of 53.5% vs 33.3%, though statistically not significant). Grade-2 tumors had better prognosis than grade-4 tumors (DFS 66.6% vs 0%, P < 0.001). Sixty-eight percent of patients without perinephric fat invasion were free of disease as compared to 31% of those with perinephric fat invasion (P < 0.01). Further, N status showed DFS of 60.9% in patients with negative nodes and 30% in patients with positive nodes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Though surgery for RCC with IVC thrombus has high morbidity, it can give good results in terms of prolonged DFS in expert hands. Regarding long-term survival, pathological factors, such as local stage and grade, are more important than clinical factors, such as level of thrombus.