Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) for the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer is being increasingly applied. Radical cystectomy is complex procedure which should be performed with extensive lymph node dissection and urinary diversion. Currently, the techniques of RARC are well-described, and the feasibility and safety of RARC has been demonstrated. While extracorporeal approach is preferred method for urinary diversion, intracorporeal urinary diversion is gaining popularity. Positive surgical margins are similar to large open series but inferior for locally advanced disease. However, local recurrence and survival rates seem equivalent to open series at short and mid-term follow up. Randomized controlled trial should be conducted to rigorously assess the oncologic outcomes of RARC compared to open radical cystectomy.