Salvage cystectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion as a last-line option for benign diseases—perioperative safety and postoperative health-related quality of life

Abstract

Aims: Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion impact various dimensions of patients' health-related-quality-of-life (HRQOL). Yet, less is known about salvage cystectomy as a last-line option for treatment-refractory benign diseases. Therefore, our aim is to provide HRQOL data from a contemporary cohort of open salvage cystectomies for benign conditions. Methods: Fifty-four consecutive patients were enrolled in one single tertiary referral center. Analysis was limited to patients undergoing urinary diversion via ileal conduit (IC). Complications were assessed via Clavien–Dindo-scale. HRQOL was measured using the validated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BLM30 questionnaire. HRQOL QLQ-C30 domains were measured preoperatively and up to 3 years postoperatively. Longitudinal changes were analyzed using Friedman's rank test. Primary endpoint was good general HRQOL based on QLQ-C30 global health status (GHS). Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression models with a step-wise backward selection procedure. Results: Longitudinal analysis of HRQOL subdomains revealed significantly improved pain (p =.005) and fatigue (p =.002) scores as well as improved social functioning (p =.038). Furthermore, general HRQOL (GHS scores) improved significantly during the follow-up period (28.0 vs. 50.6 [36 months], p =.045). In multivariate analysis, the indication for salvage cystectomy could not be identified as an independent predictor for good general HRQOL. We observed a total number of 10 (41.7%) high-grade (Clavien ≥III) 90 day-complications. Limitations include limited follow-up rates at respective time-points. Conclusion: Salvage cystectomy and IC can be safely performed as a last-line treatment for benign conditions and increases general HRQOL in the long-term follow-up. Thus, it can play a role in a holistic approach for a challenging clinical setting.