title: Status of Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy (RARC) in 2012.
abstract: Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for bladder cancer is increasingly becoming popular in specialist centres around the world. RARC has the advantage of being minimally invasive and also the dexterity of the instruments allow reconstruction such as ileal conduit urinary diversion or neobladder formation. Starting from the initial series demonstrating the feasibility of RARC and extended pelvic lymph node dissection, we now have mature series demonstrating equal oncological and functional outcomes in the medium term follow-up. In addition, literature suggests decreased hospital stay, less blood loss equating to less blood transfusion and a trend towards decreased complications as well. In the near future we would anticipate further refinement and reduced operating times with increased benefits for the patient undergoing RARC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263 USA.
authors.forename: Amrith R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Stegemann
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Poch
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Khurshid A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Guru
keywords: Bladder Cancer; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Radical Cystectomy; Robot-Assited; daVinci