Extraperitoneal Antegrade vs Transperitoneal Open Radical Cystectomy: Single Center Experiences with 200 Cases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy (RC) is one of the most complex surgeries and has a high rate of morbidity. Gastrointestinal complications are the most common type of complications. To reduce these complications some modifications have been described. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate perioperative outcomes of our extraperitoneal antegrade RC technique (EARTC), where the peritoneum is opened at the end of cystectomy just before of ileal reconstruction. METHODS: Group 1 included 120 patients who were operated with a standard RC technique and Group 2 included 80 patients who were operated with the EARC technique in this study. Groups were compared according to preoperative variables including patient characteristics, perioperative parameters, pathologic data, and postoperative overall and gastrointestinal complications. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of preoperative characteristics and mean operative time. The group 1 has longer time for the exposure of abdominal cavity to the atmosphere (p < 0.01). Hospitalization time was significantly lower in Group 2 (p < 0.01). Concerning the rate of 90-day overall perioperative complication, no statistically significant difference was determined between the groups. Gastrointestinal complication was significantly higher in Group 1 (p:0.048). The average number of removed lymph nodes was similar between the groups (p:0.85). The time for recovery of bowel function, the time for passage of stool and the rate of postoperative ileus were significantly lower in Group 2 (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.043) respectively). CONCLUSIONS: EARC provides advantages over the standard technique in terms of gastrointestinal symptoms and poses no disadvantage when the oncological outcome and operative difficulty were considered.