Robot-assisted nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: results from three high-volume robotic surgery institutions

Robot-Assisted NephroUreterectomy (RANU) represents a minimally invasive alternative to open NephroUreterectomy (NU) for management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC) but its oncologic safety is still controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the peri-operative, pathologic and oncologic outcomes of RANU for UTUC. From 2008 to 2017, 78 patients diagnosed with UTUC and elected for RANU at 3 high-volume robotic surgery centres were retrospectively assessed. Surgery was performed using da Vinci Si^® and Xi^® systems. RANU was done adhering to oncological principles as in open surgery. The outcomes of the study were: (1) peri-operative morbidity, namely intra- and post-operative complications, blood loss, length of hospital stay and operative time; (2) oncologic outcomes, namely overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Peri-operative overall complication rate was 24.4% and high-grade complication rate was 2.6%. Median blood loss, length of hospital stay and operative time were 124 ml, 4 days and 167 min. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 31 (41%) patients. Lymph-node involvement was present in 9 (29%) patients. At median follow-up of 15 months, 2- and 4-year OS were 79% and 66%, respectively, and RFS was 63% and 53%. Peritoneal dissemination was recorded in 1 (1.3%) patient with pT4N2R1 UTUC. Our study is limited by the relatively small cohort of patients and its retrospective character. RANU as minimally invasive treatment for patients with UTUC is safe and feasible. Post-operative morbidity is low and major complications are rare. Oncologic outcomes are acceptable and no evidence of increased risk of peritoneal dissemination is recorded. Long-term data are needed. RANU should be regarded as an alternative to open surgery for UTUC that can offer good peri-operative and oncologic results.