Is frozen section analysis of the urethra at the time of radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion mandatory?

INTRODUCTION: This study was aimed at analyzing the need for routine use of frozen section analysis (FSA) before performing orthotopic neobladder (ONB) after radical cystectomy for carcinoma urinary bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 233 patients underwent radical cystectomy from January 2000 to June 2013. Of these, 151 (65.6%) patients were planned for ONB. In the initial 109 (72%) patients, FSA of urethral margin was performed, but, in the subsequent 42 (28%) patients, frozen section of urethral margin was not sent. Impact of hydroureteronephrosis, tumor size and location of tumor in relation to the bladder neck on the status of the urethral margin was analyzed. RESULTS: Only three of the 109 (2.7%) patients had a positive urethral margin. Two of them had ileal conduit and one, after negative re-resection, had ONB. Although none of the factors was found to be significant, all three patients with a positive urethral margin had growth at the bladder neck and died of cancer at a mean follow up of 29.33 ± 18.3 months, without urethral recurrence. Among the negative FSA (106), two patients had recurrence in the penile urethra. The mean follow-up was 46.3 ± 25.1 months. None of the patients without FSA (42) had urethral recurrence at the mean follow-up of 36 ± 9.3 months. Of the 28 patients who had their growth located at the bladder neck, three had positive FSA, while none with growth away from the bladder neck had positive FSA. CONCLUSION: Routine FSA of the urethra before performing ONB can be avoided in those patients where the tumor does not reach the bladder neck.