Hand-assisted versus pure laparoscopic radical cystectomy: a clinical outcome comparison.
OBJECTIVE
To compare hand-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (HALRC) with the standard laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) in an attempt to delineate their role in bladder cancer treatment.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 51 patients who underwent HALRC (HALRC group, 31 cases) or LRC (LRC group, 20 cases). Urinary diversion was performed extracorporeally through the hand port or the incision for specimen retrieval, respectively, in the two groups. Baseline patient characteristics, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, body mass index, previous abdominal surgeries, or tumor stage between the two groups. Although the LRC group yielded a significantly smaller incision for urinary diversion than the HALRC group (7.3 cm vs 6.2 cm, P < 0.05), mean operative time, mean estimated blood loss, blood transfusion rate, time to oral intake and complications were similar in the two groups. Hernia formation was observed with increased frequency in the HALRC group. No patients in the HALRC group and only one patient (5%) in the LRC group presented a positive margin.


CONCLUSIONS
The HALRC group yielded the same outcomes as the LRC group, except with a larger incision. The hand-assisted approach might be preferred for obese patients or those having multiple previous abdominal surgeries.
Wang
Sheng-zheng
SZ
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. urologywang@yahoo.com.cn
Chen
Ling-wu
LW
Chen
Wei
W
Chen
Jun-xing
JX
Lin
Huan-yi
HY
D015653:Cystectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D014547:Urinary Diversion / Q000379:methods*