Day-case transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT): A feasible approach in selected patients

ABSTRACT

Introduction & Objectives: Day-case Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT) is currently only performed in 18% cases across the United Kingdom. Concerns exist regarding the quality of TURBT, early recurrence rate and the high-risk patient cohort that makes this approach less popular in some centers. The Primary Outcome was to determine 30-day readmission rate and 30-day morbidity using the Clavien-Dindo classification. The Secondary Outcomes were to determine patient cohort selection, quality of TURBT and early recurrence rate and to report patient feedback following day-case TURBT. Materials & Methods: A retrospective audit of day-case TURBTs in a District General Hospital (DGH) over 3 years pre-COVID19 (January 2017 - March 2020) was performed. We only included patients who underwent a TURBT and excluded any cystoscopy, biopsy or fulguration. A day-case TURBT pathway is in place, for postoperative recovery, instillation of intravesical chemotherapy postoperatively if required and re-admission for trial without catheter when indicated in the hospital. Case notes were reviewed manually. Feedback was obtained from patients who had new tumour TURBT in the last year using hospital patient feedback forms. Results: We included 77 patients who underwent TURBT in the day-case theatre, of these 5 patients required in-patient stay after the surgery. Of the remaining 72 discharged on the same day, 8 were re-admitted (11%) for Clavien-Dindo I complications. The mean age of the patients was 71 years (34-94 years);77% (59/77) were male;reported ASA scores were 3/77 ASA 1 (4%), 43/77 ASA 2 (56%), 28/77 ASA 3 (36%);30% (23/77) patients were on anticoagulants or antiplatelets;the average tumour size was 2cm (1mm – 5cm), 69% (53/77) were papillary in nature and 36/77 were newly diagnosed tumours (47%) and the remainder were recurrences or re-resections. Of the new tumours, 32/36 (89%) received mitomycin C as indicated. On final histology, muscle was present in specimen in 50/77 (65%). The readmission/failed discharge group had a higher rate of older patients, with higher ASA scores and longer operative times, however resection quality and tumour characteristics were not different from the day-case TURBTs. The recurrence rate at first check cystoscopy for the newly diagnosed tumours was 3% (1/36) while 1 patient had residual disease in a bladder diverticulum. All patients reported an overall positive experience. Conclusions: In the first of its kind audit patients reported outcomes after day-case TURBT, though readmission rate was relatively higher than previous reports in the literature, the overall patient experience was favorable and the outcomes of TURBT quality and early recurrence were satisfactory. The data obtained can provide guidance to employ better patient selection to reduce readmission rates. Hence, day-case TURBT can be a feasible option in appropriately selected patients, with a suitable pathway in place.