Objective: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect and complications of laparoscopic radical cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder (LRC-INB) with open radical cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder (ORC-INB).
Methods: A total of 171 patients were evaluated, including 63 cases with ORC-INB and 108 cases with LRC-INB from June 1994 to May 2007 at our institution. The parameters analyzed included perioperative data, postoperative complications, new bladder function and effect of tumor control.
Results: There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics of patients between these 2 groups. The mean operating time was 330 min in the LRC group and 310 min in the ORC group (P > 0.05). The mean blood loss was 320 ml in the LRC group and 1100 ml in ORC group (P < 0.001). The mean oral intake after operation was 2.4 days for LRC group and 4.5 days for ORC group (P < 0.001). No perioperative death was occurred in both groups. The complication rate was 18.5% in LRC group, while 30.0% in ORC group (P < 0.05). Twelve months after operation, the day-time and night-time continence rate were 90.7% and 82.6% for the LRC group, 88.3% and 81.6% for the ORC group respectively (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference of VOL, pressure and residual urine volume (RUV) of neobladder between these 2 groups. Surgical margin were tumor free for 107 cases except one T4 case in laparoscopic group had positive margin (P > 0.05). The mean number of removed lymph node were 12 and 8 in LRC and ORC group respectively (P < 0.05). The 2 years tumor free survival rate of the same stage or grade was no significant different (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: LCR had advantages of less blood loss, shorter oral intake time, less postoperative complications, comparable continent rate and short-term tumor control with ORC. Long-term follow up is needed to confirm the oncological outcome.