Anterior versus posterior approach laparoscopic radical cystectomy: a retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mortality, operation time, cystectomy time, and complications of anterior approach laparoscopic radical cystectomy (ALRC) in Asian males in comparison with posterior approach laparoscopic radical cystectomy (PLRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-seven male patients with bladder cancer (cT2-3NxM0) in our hospital from May 2011 to January 2018 having undergone laparoscopic radical cystectomy were studied, including 68 patients in PLRC group and 79 patients in ALRC group. Baseline patient characteristics, operative and postoperative characteristics, and postoperative complications were retrospectively collected and analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in these two groups exhibited similar baseline characteristics (p > 0.05). Compared with PLRC group, ALRC group required similar operation time (317.3 ± 40.9 vs 321.9 ± 37.5) and cystectomy time (64.8 ± 8.7 vs 65.6 ± 14.0). The ALRC group required less cystectomy time (67.8 ± 10.1 vs 77.4 ± 14.9) when patients’ BMI > 24 or patients had large total tumor and blood clot volume (> 160 cm(3)). Also, estimated blood loss (EBL) of ALRC group was significantly less than that of PLRC group (477.8 ± 97.4 vs 550.4 ± 99.9). There existed no significant differences between the PLRC and ALRC groups in postoperative characteristics and complications. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that ALRC required less cystectomy time for patients with higher BMI and larger tumor, suggesting less blood loss and similar perioperative complications. ALRC is recommend for male patients, of which BMI > 24 or total tumor and blood clot volume > 160 cm(3).