Microbial Trends in Infection-related Readmissions Following Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To report microbial pathogens detected at infection-related readmissions, including their susceptibility to antimicrobials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 785 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer at a tertiary center in Denmark between 2009 and 2019. All patients received prophylactic cefuroxime preoperatively and pivmecillinam at stent- or catheter removal. Data were collected through the national medical records and microbiology database. The primary outcome was readmission rate and pathogens detected at infection-related readmissions. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were carried out to identify risk factors of readmission. RESULTS: Within 90days of surgery, 225 (29%) patients experienced at least one infection-related readmission. The most common pathogen identified was Enterococcus spp (24% of all positive samples). In blood cultures, the most dominant species were Escherichia coli (29%) and Staphylococcus spp (26%). Due to the heterogeneity in microbial species identified, more than one-third of the bacteria where mecillinam was tested showed resistance. Most isolates were susceptible to piperacillin+tazobactam. Orthotopic neobladder and continent cutaneous reservoir were associated with the highest risk of infection-related readmission compared to ileal conduit (odds ratios 2.78 [95%CI 1.66;4.65] and 3.08 [95%CI 1.58;5.98], respectively). Patients with diabetes had an increased risk of infection-related readmission compared to patients without diabetes (odds ratio 1.67 [95%CI 1.02;2.73]). CONCLUSION: Nearly one-third of all patients experienced at least one postoperative infection-related readmission with a wide range of microbial etiologies. Generalizability of our results is uncertain, but the data can be used to plan interventional trials of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Acute Kidney Injury Within 90Days of Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Incidence and Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To report incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer and evaluate risk factors for AKI as well as the impact of AKI on development of long-term renal insufficiency. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing RC between 2010 and 2020 at a high-volume tertiary referral center. AKI was graded according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) criteria within 90days of surgery. Long-term renal insufficiency was defined as estimated glomerular function <45 mL/min. Cumulative incidence and Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to evaluate both short- and long-term loss of renal function and investigate their association with pre- and perioperative variables. RESULTS: AKI occurred in 332 out of 755 patients (44%) within 90days. Preoperative chronic hypertension and obesity were independent preoperative risk factors. Robot-assisted RC was associated with a higher risk of AKI compared to open RC in multivariable analyses. The absolute risk of developing long-term renal insufficiency was 8.7% (95%CI: 5.6-12) after 5years in patients without AKI and 26% (95%CI: 16-36) in patients with KDIGO-stage ≥2. In multivariable analysis, both KDIGO-stage 1 and ≥2 were independently associated with long-term estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients experienced AKI after RC, and even patients with KDIGO-stage 1 were at increased risk of long-term renal insufficiency. Recognizing pre- and perioperative risk factors can identify patients where close surveillance and early intervention may help minimize renal function decline following RC.

Haemodynamic and respiratory perioperative outcomes for open versus robot-assisted radical cystectomy: A double-blinded, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of prolonged steep Trendelenburg position and CO2 pneumoperitoneum during robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RC) on intraoperative conditions and immediate postoperative recovery remains to be assessed. The current study investigates intraoperative and immediate postoperative outcomes for open RC (ORC) versus robot-assisted RC with intracorporal urinary diversion (iRARC) in a blinded randomised trial. We hypothesised that ORC would result in a faster haemodynamic and respiratory post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery compared to iRARC. METHODS: This study is a predefined sub-analysis of a single-centre, double-blinded, randomised feasibility study. Fifty bladder cancer patients were randomly assigned to ORC (n = 25) or iRARC (n = 25). Patients, PACU staff, and ward personnel were blinded to the surgical technique. Both randomisation arms followed the same anaesthesiologic procedure, fluid treatment plan, and PACU care. The primary outcome was immediate postoperative recovery using a standardised PACU Discharge Criteria (PACU-DC) score. Secondary outcomes included respiration- and arterial O2 saturation scores as well as perioperative interventions and recordings. RESULTS: All patients underwent the allocated treatment. The total PACU-DC score was highest 6 h postoperatively with no difference in the total score between randomisation arms (p = 0.80). Both the ORC and iRARC groups maintained a mean respiration- and arterial O2 saturation score below 1 (out of 3) throughout PACU stay. The iRARC patients had significantly, but clinically acceptable, higher maximum airway pressure and arterial blood pressure, as well as lower minimum pH levels. The ORC group received significantly more opioids after extubation but marginally less analgesics in the PACU, compared to the iRARC group. CONCLUSIONS: A prolonged Trendelenburg position and CO2 pneumoperitoneum was well-tolerated during iRARC, and immediate postoperative recovery was similar for ORC and iRARC patients.

Long-Term Renal Function Following Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term renal function following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer and identify risk factors associated with postoperative decline in renal function. METHODS: The study included patients who underwent RC at a single centre in Denmark between 2009 and 2019. Data was collected through national electronic medical records. Renal function was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using pre- and postoperative creatinine measurements. Cumulative incidence and Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to describe the loss of renal function and its association with clinicopathological variables, as well as its effect on mortality. RESULTS: After exclusions, 670 patients were eligible for analyses. Median follow-up time was 6.2 years (interquartile range 4.0 -8.4). The proportion of patients with renal insufficiency (eGFR<45 mL/min) increased from 8.9% before RC to 19% 5 years after surgery. A total of 610 patients with preoperative eGFR≥45 were included in survival analyses. The absolute risk of renal function decline to CKD stage G3b or worse (eGFR<45 mL/min) was 17% (95% CI 14 -20) at 5 years postoperatively. Loss of renal function was not significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality. In multivariate analysis lower preoperative eGFR, diabetes mellitus, prior pelvic radiation therapy, continent urinary diversion types, and postoperative ureteral stricture were all independently associated with renal function decline. CONCLUSION: The long-term renal function decreases considerably for a large number of RC patients. Recognizing preoperative risk factors could identify patients who benefit from enhanced renal surveillance or early intervention for modifiable factors to minimize renal insufficiency following RC.

Open vs robot-assisted radical cystectomy (BORARC): a double-blinded, randomised feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine surgical outcomes and feasibility of blinding patients and care providers to the surgical technique of radical cystectomy (RC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-centre, parallel-group, double-blinded, randomised feasibility study of open RC (ORC) vs robot-assisted RC with intracorporeal urinary diversion (iRARC) in an 'Enhanced Recovery After Surgery' setup. A total of 50 patients aged ≥18 years with bladder cancer planned for RC with an ileal conduit were included. Patients with previous major abdominal/pelvic surgery, pelvic radiation or anaesthesiological contraindications were excluded. Primary outcomes were proportion of unblinded patients and success of blinding using Bang's Blinding Index. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), complication rates, blood loss, pain, and opioid consumption. RESULTS: A total of 26% of the patients were unblinded before discharge. We demonstrated that patients and doctors remained blinded for the allocated treatment, but nurses did not. Blood loss was greater in the ORC group as was operative time in the iRARC group. We found no difference in complication rate, LOS, or use of analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that blinding of surgical technique in RC is possible. The results of secondary outcomes are consistent with the findings of previous unblinded randomised controlled trials. Our study highlights that it is possible to perform a blinded phase III study to explore the optimal surgical technique in RC.

Morbidity and Days Alive and Out of Hospital Within 90 Days Following Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Morbidity after radical cystectomy (RC) is usually quantified in terms of rates of complications, mortality, reoperations, and readmissions, and length of stay (LOS). The overall burden following RC within the first 90 d following RC may be better described using days alive and out of hospital (DAOH), which is a validated, patient-centred proxy for both morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To report short-term morbidity, LOS, and DAOH within 90 d after RC and risk factors associated with these parameters. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study included 729 patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer at a single academic centre from 2009 to 2019. Data were retrieved from national electronic medical charts. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Multivariate analysis was used to investigate variables associated with a major complication, LOS >7 d, and DAOH <80 d. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The 90-d complication rate was 80%, including major complications in 37% of cases. Median LOS was 7 d (interquartile range (IQR) 6-9) and median DAOH was 80 d (IQR 71-83) days. Body mass index and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) predicted major complications. CCI predicted LOS >7 d and DAOH <80 d. CONCLUSIONS: RC was associated with significant short-term morbidity and DAOH was a good marker for cumulative morbidity after RC. We propose that DAOH should be a standard supplement for reporting surgical outcomes following RC for bladder cancer, which may facilitate better comparison of outcomes across treating institutions. PATIENT SUMMARY: We studied complications after surgical removal of the bladder for bladder cancer. We assessed a novel patient-centred tool that more accurately describes the total burden of complications after surgery than traditional models. We found that patients with a high body mass index and coexisting chronic diseases had a higher risk of a complicated surgical course.