Robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy

Robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy (RALBD) has been increasingly reported in recent years. We review the technique of RALBD and the perioperative outcomes. We searched online databases to identify original articles related to RALBD. In the Method section, we describe our technique and reviewe several techniques for identification and robotic management of bladder diverticula. We identified 13 retrospective studies that met our criteria, with a total of 44 patients. The mean diverticulum size was 8.3 ± 3.6 cm, mean operative time was 186 ± 68 min, mean estimated blood loss was 86 ± 64 ml, and mean length of stay was 2.4 ± 1.7 days. In the majority of cases, patients with acquired diverticula underwent urethral catheter removal between 7 and 14 postoperative days while in the pediatric population with congenital bladder diverticula, Foley catheter removal usually occurred on postoperative day one. We conclude that a robotic technique is a feasible minimally invasive approach for bladder diverticulectomy. Potential benefits may include precise dissection of adjacent structures, as well as easier intracorporeal suturing. Further studies are needed to compare outcomes and costs versus other existing procedures.