Comparison of the Y-pouch orthotopic neobladder and the Studer technique after radical cystectomy: surgical and functional outcomes from a single-center series

BACKGROUND: To explore a method of constructing an orthotopic ileal neobladder (ONB) in the Y-pouch configuration. We describe the steps followed to create the Y-pouch ileal orthotopic neobladder (ONB) and compared the perioperative, functional, and urodynamics outcomes with the Studer neobladder technique. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 90 bladder cancer patients, who received open radical cystectomy with the ONB performed at a hospital from June 2009 to May 2020. These patients were divided into two groups—the Y-pouch and the Studer neobladder groups. Perioperative, functional outcome, complication, renal function data outcomes, and pressure–volume study were used to evaluate the treatment outcomes after a radical cystectomy. RESULTS: Ninety patients (54 Studer and 36 Y-pouch neobladder) were enrolled. The median patient age was 62.6 (± 11) years. The mean operative time for the Studer technique was 290 (242.5–350) min, and the Y-pouch technique was 300 (271.2–335) min) (p = 0.826). At 30 days postoperatively, the Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications revealed grade-2 urinary infections in two patients (5.6%) and six patients (11.1%) for the Y-pouch and Studer techniques, respectively. Intermediate complications (30–90 days) were reported in 4 (11.1%) and 18 patients (44.4%) in the Y-pouch and the Studer techniques, respectively (p = 0.062). In the urodynamics study (UDS), the Y-pouch group had a mean postvoid residual volume of 20 mL and Studer of 40 ml (p = 0.06). A mean capacity of 462 (380–600) mL compares to the Studer neobladder group with 495 (400–628) mL. The average mean compliance of the Studer group was 35.5 (28–52) ml/cm H(2)O and 33 (30–43) ml/cm H(2)O for Y pouch, and most patients had > 30 ml/cm H(2)O compliance (80/90 patients). CONCLUSIONS: The Y-pouch neobladder technique in an RC with an orthotopic neobladder provides perioperative and functional outcomes compared to those of the Studer orthotopic neobladder resulting in similar intermediate-term. Therefore, the Y-pouch ileal neobladder is both feasible and safe to be used as a standard neobladder technique for urinary diversion in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy and needs confirmation with long-term results.