Is it possible to reduce the complications and mortality of patients undergoing radical cystectomy? Effectiveness of...

To evaluate the relationship between serum albumin, hematocrit (HTC), age-dependent Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index (BMI), and deleted operation time in predicting mortality and complications associated with radical cystectomy.

All patients planned for radical cystectomy owing to bladder cancer were investigated prospectively between 2015 and 2016 in our clinic. A total of 55 cases were included in the study. Patients' characteristics, preoperative serum albumin values, hematocrit level, age-dependent Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), body mass index and deleted operation time, drainage catheter time, gas-stool expulsion time were recorded. The patients were followed up for 90 days.

Age of cases, Charlson comorbidity index scores, and HCT were not different in patients with or without complications (overall) or severe complications nor in patients who died or survived after the procedure. The albumin value of the cases with observed mortality and complications was significantly lower than that of the cases with no mortality and complications. In multivariate and univariate analysis, low albumin level was established to be meaningful in predicting mortality and serious complications. The cut-off point for albumin, according to mortality, was found to be 4.1. Mortality within 90 days was 16.3% (n = 9).

We have evaluated albumin as a marker that could indicate both mortality and the presence of severe complications after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.