OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have gathered the second largest series yet published on laparoscopic radical cystectomy in order to evaluate the incidence and cause of intra and postoperative complication, conversion to open surgery, and patient mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1997 to 2005, 59 laparoscopic radical cystectomies were performed for the management of bladder cancer at 3 institutions in South America. Twenty nine patients received continent urinary diversion, including 25 orthotopic ileal neobladders and 4 Indiana pouches. Only one case of continent urinary diversion was performed completely intracorporeally. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 337 minutes (150-600). Estimated intraoperative blood loss was 488 mL (50-1500) and 12 patients (20%) required blood transfusion. All 7 (12%) intraoperative complications were vascular in nature, that is, 1 epigastric vessel injury, 2 injuries to the iliac vessels (1 artery and 1 vein), and 4 bleedings that occurred during the bladder pedicles control. Eighteen (30%) postoperative complications (not counting mortalities) occurred, including 3 urinary tract infections, 1 pneumonia, 1 wound infection, 5 ileus, 2 persistent chylous drainage, 3 urinary fistulas, and 3 (5%) postoperative complications that required surgical intervention (2 hernias - one in the port site and one in the extraction incision, and 1 bowel obstruction). One case (1.7%) was electively converted to open surgery due to a larger tumor that precluded proper posterior dissection. Two mortalities (3.3%) occurred in this series, one early mortality due to uncontrolled upper gastrointestinal bleeding and one late mortality following massive pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is a safe operation with morbidity and mortality rates comparable to the open surgery.

INTRODUCTION: We performed a laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy followed by constructing a Y-shaped reservoir extra-corporeally with titanium staples through a 5-cm muscle-splitting Pfannenstiel incision. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Upon completion of the extirpative part of the operation, the surgical specimen was entrapped and removed intact through a 5-cm Pfannenstiel incision. Through the extraction incision, the distal ileum was identified and a 40 cm segment isolated. With the aid of the laparoscope, the ureters were brought outside the abdominal cavity and freshened and spatulated for approximately 1.5-cm. Bilateral double J ureteral stents were then inserted up to the renal pelvis and the ureters were directly anastomosed to the open ends of the limbs of the neobladder. Following this, the isolated intestinal segment was arranged in a Y shape with two central segments of 14 cm and two limbs of 6 cm. The two central segments were brought together and detubularized, with two sequential firings of 80 x 3.5 mm and 60 x 3.5 mm non-absorbable mechanical stapler (Multifire GIA - US Surgical) inserted through an opening made at the lowest point of the neobladder on its anti-mesenteric border. The neobladder was reinserted inside the abdominal cavity and anastomosed to the urethra with intracorporeal laparoscopic free-hand suturing. CONCLUSION: Although this procedure is feasible and the preliminary results encouraging, continued surveillance is necessary to determine the lithiasis-inducing potential of these titanium staples within the urinary tract.

INTRODUCTION: Here, we report our initial experience with laparoscopic assisted radical cystectomy without the use of surgical staples. CASES REPORT: A 70 year old male and a 55 year old female were diagnosed to have T2G3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with negative metastatic work-out. both patients were scheduled and agreed to a laparoscopic assisted radical cystectomy. In both cases, urinary diversion (orthotopic ileal Studer neobladder in the male and ileal conduit in the female) was performed extracorporeally following radical cystectomy. In both cases control of the bladder vascular pediclewas accomplished with a combination of metallic and hem-o-lock clips. The total surgical time was 6.5 hours in both cases. Estimated intra-operative blood loss was 500 cc and 350 cc respectively, however both patients required postoperative blood transfusions. No intraoperative complications occurred. In both cases, pathology revealed negative surgical margins. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal creation of urinary diversion decrease the overall operative time. Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy can be performed following the extended template. The use of surgical clips instead of vascular Endo-GIA titanium staples to control the bladder vascular pedicles is feasible and safe in selected patients, thus reducing intraoperative surgical costs. Considerable experience with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is necessary before one attempts laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

PURPOSE: We describe the critical steps of the laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) technique and discuss how they impact upon the pertinent issues regarding prostate cancer surgery: blood loss, potency and continence. RESULTS: A major advantage of LRP is the reduced operative blood loss. The precise placement of the dorsal vein complex stitch associated with the tamponading effect of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum significantly decrease venous bleeding, which is the main source of blood loss during radical prostatectomy. At the Cleveland Clinic, the average blood loss of our first 100 patients was 322.5 ml, resulting in low transfusion rates. The continuous venous bleeding narrowed pelvic surgical field and poor visibility can adversely impact on nerve preservation during open radical prostatectomy. Laparoscopy, with its enhanced and magnified vision in a relatively bloodless field allows for excellent identification and handling of the neurovascular bundles. During open retropubic radical prostatectomy, the pubic bone may impair visibility and access to the urethral stump, and the surgeon must tie the knots relying on tactile sensation alone. Consequently, open prostatectomy is associated with a prolonged catheterization period of 2 - 3 weeks. Comparatively, during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy all sutures are meticulously placed and each is tied under complete visual control, resulting in a precise mucosa-to-mucosa approximation. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach may represent a reliable less invasive alternative to the conventional open approach. Despite the encouraging preliminary anatomical and functional outcomes, prospective randomized comparative trials are required to critically evaluate the role of laparoscopy for this sophisticated and delicate operation.