ROBOTIC INTRACORPOREAL MEAL CONDUIT: TECHNICAL ASPECTS

OBJECTIVE: To present a review of the technical aspects of robotic intracorporeal ileal conduit (IC) reconstruction after robot assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). METHODS: A non-systematic review is performed in order to summarize technical aspects on robot assisted ileal conduit procedure following radical cystectomy in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer. RESULTS: Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection and urinary diversion is the gold-standard therapy for localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer. IC is the most common diversion utilized by surgeons. Minimally invasive approaches to IC were proposed with the intention of decreasing the morbidity associated to open surgery. Several oncological, and functional factors should be taken into consideration for the selection of patients undergoing this procedure together with surgeons and patients' preferences. The stoma marking of the patient is of critical importance. Identification of the ureters should be done assuring careful handling of the tissue and then isolation of the bowel segments should be performed after confirming proper length of the segment. Side to side anastomosis of the antimesenteric borders of the bowel is performed with linear staplers, and the ureteroileal anastomosis is done. Finally, the ileal conduit is positioned close to the stoma marking site and is fixed to the skin. Urinary diversion and radical cystectomy is a very morbid procedure. Mainly, complications are gastrointestinal, stoma-related, or associated to the ureter-enteric anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of the robotic platform concerning postoperative outcomes may be more evident if the procedure is done in an intracorporeal fashion. Proper knowledge and mastery of the technical aspects of this procedure are critical.