Preliminary experience with radical cystectomy and w-ileal pouch for muscle invasive transitional cell bladder carcinoma.

Background: Radical cystectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is considered the treatment of choice for patients with muscle invasive transitional cell bladder cancer. Following radical cystectomy the surgeon would choose an appropriate modality of urinary diversion from a plethora of methods. Radical cystectomy with any type of diversion remains a complication-prone surgery. This study aims at reviewing the peri-operative challenges and morbidities experienced with radical cystectomy and W-ileal pouch urinary diversion in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Aims & Objective: To report experience with radical cystectomy and W-ileal pouch construction in patients with muscle invasive transitional cell urinary bladder carcinoma.

Patients & Methods: The case notes of patients diagnosed with muscle invasive transitional cell bladder carcinoma (T2/3NoMo) who underwent radical cystectomy and W-ileal pouch construction from December 2006 to December 2011 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria were retrospectively studied. Patients were evaluated for age, sex, duration of surgery, estimated blood loss, duration of hospital stay, and complications after surgery.

Results: Six patients had their records reviewed. Mean age was 55.8 years (range 32 - 66years). Male to female ratio was 5:1. Mean hospital stay was 31 days, with all of the patients requiring intensive care for a mean of 24 hours (range 24-72 hours). Mean hospital stay was 31 days (range 21-40 days). Mean estimated blood loss was 891 ml (range 720-1500ml). Mean duration of surgery was 10.3 hours (range 8-12 hours). Commonest complication was urine retention secondary to mucus plug in 50%. Operative mortality was 16.7%.

Conclusion: Radical cystectomy and W-ileal pouch construction due to its technical complexity and challenging postoperative management necessitates a team approach with experienced surgeons, anesthetists, intensivists and stoma care specialist, among others.