The following is a summary of “Initial Experience With Extraperitoneal Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy With Pelvic Organ-Preserving and Orthotopic Neobladder Techniques for Bladder Cancer in Female Patients,” published in the JANUARY 2023 issue of Urology by Yang, et al.

For a study, researchers sought to report the initial outcomes of organ-preserving and orthotopic neobladder (ONB) techniques for bladder cancer in selected females using the extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy (ELRC) technique. 

The study collected data on patient characteristics, operative time, blood loss, transfusion rate, length of hospital stay, pathologic outcomes, and 30- and 90-day complications between April 2018 and May 2021. In addition, the follow-up was conducted regularly to assess patients’ oncological and functional outcomes, including postoperative sexual function status, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

The study analyzed data from 11 female patients with a mean age of 53 years who underwent ELRC with pelvic organ preservation and ONB. All procedures were completed successfully, and the mean operative time was 264.82 ± 33.81 min, with an average intraoperative blood loss of 128 ± 18.19 mL. The patients had negative pathological margins, and no lymph node metastases were found. The average hospital stay was 10.72 days, and the single J ureteral stent and catheter were usually removed 3-4 weeks after the procedure. The FIFS assessment of postoperative sexual function showed that the patients were relatively satisfied.

The study concluded that ELRC with pelvic organ preservation and ONB technology was a safe and feasible surgical strategy for selected female patients. The preservation of organs and vascular nerve bundles appeared safe in oncological terms and produced encouraging functional results. However, further rigorous prospective studies with more patients and long-term follow-up data were needed to assess the oncologic and functional outcomes of the technique.

Reference: goldjournal.net/article/S0090-4295(22)00952-9/fulltext