Our initial experience with the three layers with three-port approach for laparoscopic radical cystectomy

Radical cystectomy (RC) remains the gold standard for the treatment of recurrent high-risk non-muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer (BC) and muscle-infiltrating BC. Currently, there is no uniform standardized procedure for laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC).

To share our initial experience with the three layers with three-port approach for laparoscopic radical cystectomy (TLTPA-LRC) and to investigate its safety and effectiveness.

Between April 2017 and March 2020, 32 patients with bladder tumors underwent TLTPA-LRC, pelvic lymph node dissection, and extracorporeal construction of the Studer neobladder. The basic characteristics of the patients, clinical pathology, and perioperative and follow-up data were analyzed. We also describe our step-by-step surgical technique for TLTPA-LRC.

The median operation time was 278.5 min (range: 221-346 min), and the mean estimated blood loss was 233.4 ml (102-445 ml). The rates of intraoperative blood transfusion and postoperative transportation to the intensive care unit after surgery were 12.5% and 100%, respectively. Postoperative pathology showed 7 cases of T1, 20 cases of T2, and 5 cases of T3. Lymph node dissection and surgical margins were both negative. During a median follow-up of 13.5 months, 4 patients had early complications (< 30 days) and no patients had major complications (grade ≥ 3). The patients are now alive without local metastasis and with satisfactory urinary control ability day and night.

Although the TLTPA-LRC approach requires a certain level of surgical proficiency, it is feasible and serves as a minimally invasive method for selected patients.