Introduction of robot-assisted radical cystectomy within an established enhanced recovery programme.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the implementation phase of a robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) programme including side-effect profiles and impact on length of stay (LOS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 114 consecutive patients (82% male) underwent RARC and urinary diversion between April 2013 and December 2015 [ileal conduit (97 patients) and orthotopic neobladder (17)]. Surgery was performed by two surgeons within a designated regional cancer centre. No exclusion criteria were applied. All patients were managed on the Exeter Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERP) in a unit where embedded enhanced recovery practice was already established. Data were collected prospectively on the national cystectomy registry - the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Complex Operations Dataset. RESULTS: RARC was technically feasible in all but one case. The mean operating time was 3-5 h with an overall transfusion rate of 8.8%. There were higher-grade complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV) in 18.4% of patients, with a 30-day mortality rate of 0.9%. The median (range) LOS after RARC was 7 (3-68) days, with a re-admission rate of 18.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The present series shows that RARC can be safely implemented in a unit experienced in robot-assisted surgery (RAS). Case-selection in this setting is not deemed necessary. There are benefits in terms of lower transfusion rates and reduced LOS. The side-effect profile appears to differ from that of open RC, and despite the fact that complication rate is equivalent; 'technical' complications are over-represented in the RAS group. As such, they should improve with experience, recognition, and modification of surgical technique. ERPs can be safely applied to all patients undergoing RARC to maximise the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.

Anesthesia for major urologic surgery.

This article details the anesthetic management of robot-assisted and laparoscopic urologic surgery. It includes the key concerns for anesthetists and a guide template for those learning this specialist area. The emphasis is on the principles of enhanced recovery, the preoperative and risk assessments, as well as the specific management plans to reduce the incidence of complications arising as a result of the prolonged pneumoperitoneum and steep head-down positions necessary for most of these procedures.

Implementation of the Exeter enhanced recovery programme for patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with the implementation and refinement of an enhanced recovery programme (ERP) for radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion. To assess the impact on length of stay (LOS), complication and readmission rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 165 consecutive patients undergoing open RC (ORC) and urinary diversion between January 2008 and April 2013 were entered into an ERP. A retrospective case note review was undertaken. Outcomes recorded included LOS, time to mobilisation, complication rates within the first 30 days (Clavien-Dindo classification) and readmissions. RESULTS: All patients were successfully entered into the ERP. As enhanced recovery principles became embedded in the unit, LOS reduced from a mean of 14 days over the initial year of the ERP to a mean of 9.2 days. The complication rate was 6.6% for Clavien ≥3, and 43.5% for Clavien ≤2. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.2%. The 30-day readmission rate was 13.9%. In the most contemporary subset of 52 patients: the median time after ORC to sit out of bed, mobilise and open bowels was day 1, 2 and 6, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ERP described for patients undergoing ORC appears to be safe. Benefits include early feeding, mobilisation and hospital discharge. The ERP will continue to develop with the incorporation of advancing evidence and technology, in particular the introduction of robot-assisted RC.

Use of rectus sheath catheters for pain relief in patients undergoing major pelvic urological surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the safety and efficacy of rectus sheath blocks, 'topped-up' using bilateral rectus sheath catheters (RSCs), in patients undergoing major open urological surgery. METHODS: The RSCs were inserted under ultrasound guidance into 200 patients between April 2008 and August 2011, of whom 106 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and 94 underwent open radical cystectomy (ORC). A retrospective case-note review was undertaken. Outcomes included technical success and complication rates of the insertion and use of RSC, visual analogue pain scores, additional analgesia requirements and length of hospital stay (LOS). RESULTS: All RSCs were successfully placed without complication and used for a mean of 3.6 days for ORC and 2.1 days for RRP. Early removal occurred in 6.49% of patients. Low overall pain scores were reported in both groups. Patients were more likely to require a patient-controlled analgesia system in the ORC group but the overall need for additional analgesia was low in both groups, reducing significantly after the initial 24 h. In combination with an enhanced recovery programme, LOS reduced from 17.0 to 10.8 days in the ORC group and from 6.2 to 2.8 days in the RRP group. CONCLUSION: The use of RSCs appears to offer an effective and safe method of peri-operative analgesia in patients undergoing major open urological pelvic surgery.

Towards bloodless cystectomy: a 10-year experience of intra-operative cell salvage during radical cystectomy.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Guidance from the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the use of intraoperative cell savage (ICS) has been in place for over 3 years and recommends its routine usage in all patients undergoing radical pelvic urological surgery. The current series describes the contribution of ICS to contemporary blood conservation strategies and the goal of 'bloodless' cystectomy. OBJECTIVE: • To describe a 10-year experience of intra-operative cell salvage (ICS) during radical cystectomy at a regional cancer centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • Between 1(st) January 2001 and 31(st) December 2010, 213 consecutive patients underwent radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer, with an ICS suction device used in theatre. • Surgery was performed by one of three consultant surgeons using an open technique with lymph node clearance to the iliac bifurcation. Orthotopic bladder substitution was performed in 25% of patients overall. • ICS data were collected prospectively on an electronic database and the institutional database was then cross-referenced with a complete review of patients' medical records, laboratory results and radiological investigations retrospectively. • Data collected included patient demographics, haemoglobin levels before and after surgery, the volume of ICS blood collected and re-infused, complications related to ICS usage, the volume of allogeneic red blood cells (RBCs) transfused, length of stay and overall patient survival at 3 and 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: • In all 213 cases described, ICS was used without complication, with no recorded episodes of device failure and no complications related to the use of cell salvage. • Overall, 91% of patients received ICS blood and 28% of patients avoided any further transfusion products. • The median (range) follow-up for the cohort was 24 (9-119) months. • Seventy percent of the transfusion requirement for patients who underwent surgery in 2001 was met using allogeneic RBC transfusion but by 2010, as blood loss markedly reduced, ICS blood was able to provide ∼70% of overall transfusion requirements. As a consequence, the percentage of patients avoiding an allogeneic RBC transfusion significantly increased during the 10-year period, such that 70% of patients avoided allogeneic RBC transfusion in 2010 compared with only 10-20% in the period 2001-2003 • The overall survival rate at 3 and 5 years was 58% and 49%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: • In conclusion, the use of ICS during radical cystectomy is safe; it is capable of meeting the majority of or, in some cases, the total blood product requirement for individual patients. As a result, it decreases the need for allogeneic RBC transfusion and hence the associated risks. Current follow-up shows no apparent risk of decreased long-term survival from an oncological perspective. • The authors advocate routine availability of ICS for all major urological oncology cases.