Bladder Cancer

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Potential Risks and Complications

Although both the open and robotic radical cystectomy have been proven to be safe, all surgical procedures have risks and potential complications. These complications include:

  • Bleeding: Occassionally a transfusion is required during or after cystectomy; if you are interested in donating your own blood prior to surgery and having it available to be transfused back to you after surgery, contact your surgeon at least 2 weeks prior to surgery.
  • Blood clots: Patients undergoing cystectomy are at risk for blood clot formation; such clots are referred to as deep vein thromboses (DVT). When these clots form, they can break free and travel in the blood stream, ultimately getting lodged in the lungs; this is known as a pulmonary embolism (PE) and can be a life-threatening complication. Precautions are taken to avoid DVT and PE during cystectomy (see What to Expect After Surgery).
  • Infection: All patients are treated with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics prior to starting the surgery to decrease the chance of infection from occurring after surgery. If you develop any signs or symptoms of infection after the surgery (fever, drainage from the incision, urinary frequency/discomfort or pain) or anything else that you may be concerned about, please contact us at once.
  • Hernia: A hernia is when one of the incisions used for surgery weakens and bulges outward. Hernias after radical cystectomy are uncommon, but can occur.
  • Stomal Complications: Ileal conduits and continent diversions can be complicated by hernia, prolapse, and stenosis which can require additional surgery. Speak to you surgeon for more information about this potential compliation.
  • Tissue / Organ Injury: Although uncommon, during any surgery there is risk of injury to surrounding tissue and organs including but not limited to the intestines, rectum, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, bladder, and ureters, which could require further surgery. In addition, injuries to nerves and/or muscles can occur from being immobile on the operating room table for extended periods.
  • Conversion to Open Surgery: Rarely, a surgeon performing a robotic radical cystectomy may require conversion to the standard open operation if difficulty is encountered during the robotic procedure. This could result in a larger standard open incision and possibly a longer recuperation period.