For adults with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) or interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), robot-assisted laparoscopic supratrigonal cystectomy with augmentation cystoplasty (RA-SC-AC) is feasible, according to a study published in the July issue of BJUI Compass.

Thomas Batard, from Nantes Université in France, and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis of the records of adults who underwent RA-SC-AC between 2012 and 2020 to report long-term functional outcomes and complications. Seventy-one patients were included: 41 with NLUTD and 30 with IC/BPS; patients were followed for a median of 4.8 ± 2.2 years.

The researchers found that 36.7% of patients experienced early (<30 days) complications, which were mainly minor (Clavien ≤2). There were three major late complications: one bladder perforation and two bowel obstructions. Overall, 90.2% of the NLUTD patients achieved a low-pressure reservoir, and there was an increase noted in the continence rate, from 48.0% preoperatively to 92.7%. Pain scores decreased significantly in IC/BPS (7.8 ± 2.0 to 2.2 ± 0.4), and there was an increase seen in maximum cystometric capacity (112 ± 39 mL to 304 ± 54 mL). Surgical failures occurred in four patients (13.3%), whose severe symptoms persisted. De novo intermittent catheterization was required by 11 patients (36.7%).

"In our series, it resulted in durable improvements in bladder capacity, pain control and continence, with acceptable complication rates, " the authors write. "Future controlled or randomized studies should focus on delineating specific advantages of the robotic approach and further refining patient selection criteria, especially in complex referral-based populations."

Two authors disclosed ties to Intuitive Surgical.

More information: Thomas Batard et al, Long‐term functional outcomes and complications of robot‐assisted laparoscopic supratrigonal cystectomy with augmentation cystoplasty in adult patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: A single‐centre experience, BJUI Compass (2025). DOI: 10.1002/bco2.70029

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