Surgical outcomes and learning curve of totally intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion following laparoscopic radical cystectomy at a single institution

Introduction Constant evaluation of the outcomes of laparoscopic intracorporeal urinary diversion is not yet established. This study aimed to describe surgical outcomes and learning curve of intracorporeal ileal conduit (ICIC) following laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) at a single institution. Methods From June 2012 to February 2018, 38 patients with bladder cancer underwent LRC with ileal conduit at our institution. Surgical outcomes were compared between ICIC (n = 30) and extracorporeal ileal conduit (ECIC) (n = 8). The learning curve during ICIC with regard to the operative time and complication rate was compared. Results No significant differences in patient characteristics between the ICIC and ECIC groups were found. Comparison of outcomes between the ICIC and ECIC groups were as follows: median total operative time, 688 vs 713 minutes; urinary diversion time, 213 vs 192 minutes; and estimated blood loss, 450 vs 420 mL, respectively. The median time to walking and oral intake were similar in both groups. Rates of high‐grade complications associated with urinary diversion (Clavien‐Dindo grade ≥ III) were 3% in ICIC and 25% in ECIC. Although 25% of ECIC patients developed wound dehiscence (Clavien‐Dindo grade IIIb), no patient in the ICIC group had postoperative wound infection. For the learning curve of ICIC (n = 30), urinary diversion time decreased significantly (27 minutes decrease per 10 cases, P = .02). Clavien‐Dindo grade ≥ II complication did not occur after 20 cases. Conclusions LRC with ICIC could be performed safely with low incidence of severe wound infection compared with ECIC. The incidence and severity of complications also decreased with time.