Laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is an emerging technique. It has been proposed as an alternative to open radical cystectomy, which is the gold standard treatment of muscle-invasive or high-risk superficial bladder cancer. The experience in laparoscopic radical cystectomy reported in peer-reviewed journals account for approximately 100 cases, with a median longest follow-up of 11.5 months. Safety of the technique and cancer control need to be confirmed by a larger cohort of patients; however, after an initial analysis, it seems to be equivalent to open radical cystectomy. Equivalent does not mean better. Long-term results will determine if supposed benefits of laparoscopy overweigh the true increment of cost and time.