Intracorporeal laparoscopic U-shaped ileal neobladder construction with three ports: a pilot study

Introduction: Radical cystectomy is one of the most complex operations in urology, in which orthotopic ileal neobladder construction is an important part. With the development of laparoscopic instruments and surgical techniques, laparoscopic radical cystectomy has been shown to be feasible and safe and has obvious benefits. However, intracorporeal laparoscopic U-shaped ileal neobladder construction with three ports is rarely reported. Aim: To share our experience in intracorporeal laparoscopic U-shaped ileal neobladder construction with three ports in patients with bladder cancer and explore the feasibility, safety and benefits of this procedure. Material and methods: From January 2018 to December 2019, 32 patients with bladder cancer underwent laparoscopic intracorporeal radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder. In this article, complete intracorporeal U-shaped ileal neobladder construction with three ports will be presented. Results: The median estimated intraoperative blood loss was 130 ml. The median total operative time was 270 min, and ileal reservoir construction and anastomosis required 93 min. The median time to recovery of intestinal function following the operation was 3 days. At a median follow-up of 13 months, 8 patients had hydronephrosis. Conclusions: Intracorporeal laparoscopic U-shaped ileal neobladder construction with three ports is feasible and safe. This procedure is less invasive and is highly beneficial for patients with difficulty with anastomosis of the ileum and urethra due to high mesenteric tension.