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Robotic Radical Cystectomy

Radical Cystectomy

Removal of the bladder for cancer involves removal of the bladder and prostate in males and bladder with uterus and ovaries in females. After bladder removal, various types of procedures are performed to substitute for bladder function. These include:

 

- Ileal Conduit which is a urinary diversion operation that allows urine to pass from kidneys and ureters through a passageway made of a short piece of small intestine to the outside of the body.

 

- Reservoirs made from the bowel needing intermittent passage of catheters by the patient (Continent Urinary Diversion).

 

- Reconstruction of a new bladder from bowel at the site of the original bladder (Orthotopic Bladder).

 

The choice is made depending on individual's disease status, physical fitness, kidney function and ability and willingness to perform self catheterisation if required.

 

Robotic Radical Cystectomy

At The London Clinic, we integrate state-of-the-art technology with the skill of experienced surgeons which allows us to carry out extremely precise surgery through tiny surgical openings (‘ports’ or ‘keyholes’). The da Vinci® Surgical System is the latest advancement in robotic-assisted technology which enables our surgeons to treat bladder cancer by removing the bladder laparoscopically.

 

Robotic surgery offers numerous potential benefits to patients over traditional surgical approaches including:

 

- Less pain

- Less risk of infection

- Better cosmetic result

- Less blood loss and transfusions

- Quicker recovery time

- Shorter hospital stay

- Equivalent or better treatment in maintaining potency in men depending on the degree of sparing nerves behind the prostate which are important for maintaining erections.

 

Robotic cystectomy is particularly suitable for patients with bladder cancer invading the muscle of the bladder or those aggressive cancers which fail to respond to traditional treatment such as telescopic removal of the tumour (TURBT) and chemotherapy or immunotherapy (BCG) put into the bladder. These are patients with cancers which would spread unless the bladder is removed completely.

 

Our experts

Mr M Shamim Khan  OBE MBBS MCPS FRCS(Urol) FEBU |

Mr Prokar Dasgupta  MBBS MSc (Urol) MD FRCS(Urol) FEBU