Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy is associated with lower perioperative mortality in octogenarians

To compare perioperative outcomes between robotic and open radical cystectomy in octogenarians using real-world data SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using the Premier Healthcare Database, we found 13,127 patients who underwent robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) between 2008 and 2017, of which 15.1% were ≥80 years old. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome of interest. Secondary outcomes include complications, hospital length of stay, readmission rates, and disposition after discharge. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust for patient and hospital characteristics.

In octogenarians, mortality at the index admission was 2.2% in those who underwent RARC, compared to 4.6% in those who underwent open surgery (P = 0.027). On multivariable analysis, robotic surgery was associated with lower in-hospital mortality in octogenarians (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.99, P = 0.047) even after controlling for patient, and hospital characteristics.

RARC is safe and feasible in octogenarians. Elderly patients may derive more benefit from minimally invasive radical cystectomy compared to a younger cohort.