Bladder preserving robotic pelvic exenteration for locally advanced rectal cancer‐technique and short‐term outcomes

Abstract

AIM: In selected patients with advanced rectal cancers involving the prostate or seminal vesicles, the bladder can be preserved to avoid the complications associated with an ileal conduit. The study was aimed at reviewing the technique and short-term outcomes of patients that underwent bladder sparing robotic pelvic exenteration with suprapubic cystostomy (SPC). METHODS: Case series of bladder preserving exenteration from a single tertiary care center. Technique for en-bloc prostatectomy with abdominoperineal resection is described. RESULTS: Five patients underwent bladder sparing robotic pelvic exenteration with SPC, all had R0 resections. Four patients had prostatic invasion and one patient had prostatic adenocarcinoma. Postoperative complications were seen in three patients of which two were re-explored. At a median follow-up of 10 months, two patients developed systemic relapses. There were no local recurrences. CONCLUSION: Robotic bladder sparing exenteration is technically feasible, provides acceptable short-term outcomes, and avoids complications of ileal conduit.