Evaluating the impact of the learning curve on the perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion.

Introduction: Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD) is a technically difficult procedure. Our aim was to evaluate the potential impact of the learning curve (LC) on perioperative and pathological outcomes of RARC with ICUD.

Material And Methods: Retrospective study of 62 consecutive patients who underwent RARC with ICUD for bladder cancer between 2015-2020. We compared 3 consecutive groups of 20 (G1), 20 (G2), and 22 (G3) patients to analyze the impact of the LC. G1 cases were performed by a senior surgeon experienced in robotic surgery, while G2-G3 were performed by 2 junior surgeons without experience under the mentorship of the senior surgeon.

Results: The 3 groups had similar clinical and pathological characteristics. A total of 15 patients (24%) received a neobladder and 47 (75%) an ileal conduit. The mean operative time decreased 60 min between G1-G3 (p = 0.001). No conversions to open approach or intraoperative complications were reported. There were no differences between groups regarding positive margin rates (p = 0.6) or the number of lymph nodes removed (p = 0.061). The postoperative complication rate was 77% and did not change during the LC (p = 0.49). Uretero-enteric stricture rate decreased from 25% in G1 to 9% in G3 (p = 0.217).

Conclusions: The inclusion of junior surgeons to a RARC with ICUD program after the initial 20 cases does not have an impact on the perioperative and pathological outcomes of the procedure. The operative time and the uretero-enteric stricture rate could be reduced during the LC.