Outcomes of robotic‐assisted versus open radical cystectomy in a large‐scale, contemporary cohort of bladder cancer patients

Background and Objectives To test for differences in perioperative outcomes and total hospital costs (THC) in nonmetastatic bladder cancer patients undergoing open (ORC) versus robotic‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Methods We relied on the National Inpatient Sample database (2016–2019). Statistics consisted of trend analyses, multivariable logistic, Poisson, and linear regression models. Results Of 5280 patients, 1876 (36%) versus 3200 (60%) underwent RARC versus ORC. RARC increased from 32% to 41% (estimated annual percentage change [EAPC]: + 8.6%; p = 0.02). Rates of transfusion (8% vs. 16%), intraoperative (2% vs. 3%), wound (6% vs. 10%), and pulmonary (6% vs. 10%) complications were lower in RARC patients (all p