title: Prevention and management of complications following robot-assisted radical cystectomy: lessons learned after >250 consecutive cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous case series of robot-assisted radical cystectomy have emerged which describe complication rates comparable to open series. However, various reports have outlined preoperative factors as predictors of postoperative complications. Understanding these factors and the methods to optimize the perioperative care of the robotic cystectomy patient is essential for successful outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this topic paper, we briefly review the literature surrounding complication rates following robot-assisted radical cystectomy as well as describe our experience after >250 cases, outlining our suggestions for avoidance of surgical complications when building a practice that incorporates this technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Due to numerous variables, there are a number of intra-operative considerations, including patient selection, perioperative care pathway, intra-operative technique, and equipment choice that we have found to decrease post-operative complications and improve patient outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through careful patient selection, use of appropriate equipment and perioperative surgical management, robotic cystectomy is a feasible procedure with excellent perioperative results.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urologic Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2113 Physicians Office Bldg CB 7235, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7235, USA. angela_smith@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: Angela B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Mathew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Raynor
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wallen
authors.forename: Raj S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Pruthi
mesh_terms: D015653:Cystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D057234:Preoperative Period; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery