Single-session laparoscopic cystectomy and nephroureterectomy

Patients with high grade and/or muscle invasive bladder cancer and with concomitant diseases of the upper urinary tract, e.g. urothelial tumors (transitional cell carcinoma - TCC) or afunctional hydronephrotic kidneys, may be candidates for simultaneous cystectomy and nephroureterectomy. Although the progress in laparoscopic techniques made these procedures feasible and safe, they are still technically demanding so only experienced surgeons can perform them. The aim of the study is to report our experience with laparoscopic simultaneous en bloc resection of the urinary bladder together with unilateral or bilateral nephroureterectomy in patients with TCC. Our material consists of three cases operated on in three centers between 2002 and 2011. After having completed bilateral (1 case) or unilateral (2 cases) nephroureterectomy, we performed radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. All the specimens, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and reproductive organs in the female, were collected in endobags and were retrieved en bloc using hypogastric incision in the male patient and the vaginal route in the female patients. The demographic and perioperative information was collected and analyzed. All procedures were completed laparoscopically without the need of conversion to open surgery. No major intra- or postoperative complications were observed. Only 1 patient suffered from prolonged lymphatic leakage. From our experience we can conclude that single-session laparoscopic cystectomy and nephroureterectomy are technically feasible and safe, and may be offered for the treatment of selected cases of TCC of the urinary tract.