Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with continent urinary diversion

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with urinary diversion, although challenging even for the skilled laparoscopist, has evolved rapidly throughout the past decade. These advances are attributable to a series of well-designed animal studies transitioned carefully to humans. Short-term data have shown that this is a feasible technique that respects the basic principles of surgical oncology. However, the possibility of decreased blood loss, improved visualization, shorter hospital stay, and less postoperative pain are balanced against technical difficulty, long operative times, and unproved long-term efficacy compared with the open gold standard. The goal of this review is to reflect the available literature with regard to surgical indications, the current technique in evolution, short-term morbidity, and oncologic outcomes.