title: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to open radical cystectomy (ORC). This review focuses on patient selection criteria, technical aspects and postoperative outcomes of LRC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Material for the review was obtained by a PubMed search over the last 10 years, using the keywords 'laparoscopic radical cystectomy' and 'laparoscopic bladder cancer' in human subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two publications selected for relevance and content were used for this review from the total search yield. The level of evidence was IIb and III. LRC results in comparable short- and intermediate-range oncological outcomes to ORC, with generally longer operative times but decreased blood loss, postoperative pain and hospital stay. Overall operative and postoperative morbidity are equivalent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In experienced hands, LRC is an acceptable minimally invasive alternative to ORC in selected patients, with the main advantage of decreased blood loss and postoperative pain, as well as a shorter hospital stay and recovery.
authors.affiliation: Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Q-10, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Amr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fergany
keywords: (O)(L)RC, (open) (laparoscopic) radical cystectomy; Bladder cancer; LND, lymph node dissection; Laparoscopy; Outcomes; Radical cystectomy