Comparative analysis of global practice patterns in urologic robot-assisted surgery.

Objectives: To determine and compare the status of urologic laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery (RAS) across the world.

Methods: Two hundred ninety-one surveys were completed by urologists at various national and international conferences in 2008. The 58-item questionnaire assessed the individual and institutional practice patterns of minimally invasive surgery with a focus on RAS.

The learning curve for robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

Objective: Robot-assisted radical cystectomy has the potential to cure patients from bladder cancer while offering the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. We sought to evaluate the learning curve for this technically demanding procedure.

Materials And Methods: Robot-assisted radical cystectomy was attempted in 100 consecutive patients.

Current status of robot-assisted surgery in urology: a multi-national survey of 297 urologic surgeons.

Purpose: The surgical robot is becoming an important tool for performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures around the world. We surveyed opinions about and utilization of robot-assisted surgery among urologic surgeons from 44 countries.

Material And Methods: A total of 297 surveys were completed from September to November 2008 by participating urologic surgeons polled at various national and international urologic meetings.

Short-term quality-of-life assessed after robot-assisted radical cystectomy: a prospective analysis.

Objective: To prospectively determine the effect of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) on quality of life (QoL) after surgery.

Patients And Methods: In all, 34 patients who had RARC for bladder cancer between January 2006 and December 2007 at one institution were prospectively enrolled in a study of QoL. All patients had RARC with extracorporeal urinary diversion by one surgeon.

Impact of body mass index on robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

Background And Objectives: Obesity is a major comorbidity in the Western world and influences outcomes of patient care. A minimally invasive approach towards radical cystectomy has been increasing in popularity. We sought to determine the influence of body mass index (BMI) on robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy versus open radical cystectomy: assessment of postoperative pain.

Introduction: To date, no study has compared postoperative pain and requirement for pain medications in open versus robot-assisted radical cystectomy. Patient reported pain and opiate use were reviewed retrospectively using prospectively collected data from postoperative day one to day of discharge.

Materials And Methods: Twenty consecutive robot-assisted radical cystectomy patients were compared to the prior 20 patients who underwent open radical cystectomy.

Rapid communication: robot-assisted anterior exenteration: technique and initial series.

Background And Purpose: The feasibility of robot-assisted anterior exenteration (RAAE) in women has been reported but not well established. We report our experience with seven patients, providing perioperative data, hospital course, and immediate oncologic outcomes.

Patients And Methods: From November 2005 to June 2006, seven consecutive patients with a mean age of 70 years (range 59-82 years) underwent RAAE for bladder cancer.

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection: initial experience at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Objectives: One series of robot-assisted radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection has been reported. We report our operative technique and initial experience.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and open urinary diversion for operable bladder cancer from October 2005 to June 2006.