Continuous Saline Bladder Irrigation in Reducing Recurrence and Progression When Compared to Immediate Mitomycin- C Instillation Post- Resection of Bladder Tumor: A Short Communication

INTRODUCTION: Intravesical chemotherapy instillation by mitomycin - C (MMC) immediately after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), although effective in reducing the incidence of non- muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recurrence, can result in non desirable effects like bladder irritation and hematuria . Continuous bladder irrigation with saline post resection has been studied as an alternative. In our study we compare the rates of NMIBC recurrence and progression in patients who were treated with either MMC or CSBI immediately after tumor resection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with NMIBC at our institution in Jordan university hospital in the period between 2015-2019. Postoperative instillation of MMC or CSBI for four hours was recorded. Follow up of the patients for recurrence or progression in the first 2 years after diagnosis was recorded and compared for both groups. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen patients met inclusion criteria. Fifty four patients received MMC and 65 patients received CSBI immediately post TURBT. Kaplan–Meieranalysis for recurrence- free survival and progression- free survival didn’t show a significant difference between both groups with P- value 0.88 and 0.14 respectively. CONCLUSION: Postoperative CSBI for four hours following tumor resection is equivalent to immediate postoperative MMC instillation for NMIBC in terms of recurrence or progression rates with fewer side effects . However further research is needed in this field .