Is a cystogram necessary after bladder cuff excision?

ObjectiveNephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision is the current gold standard for the treatment of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Currently, routine follow-up cystogram is performed prior to Foley catheter removal to evaluate the bladder cuff excision wound. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the postoperative cystogram in the bladder cuff excision procedure.Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective study of 193 patients diagnosed with UTUC post nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision between January, 2010, and January, 2016. Patient demographics, performance of cystogram, types of bladder cuff excision, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Patients were classified into two groups depending on whether or not routine postoperative cystogram was performed.ResultsA total of 125 patients were included in this study and, of these, 102 patients underwent routine cystogram on Postoperative Day 7 (Group 1), while 23 patients underwent Foley catheter removal on Postoperative Day 7 without any imaging studies (Group 2). Univariate analysis showed no differences in age, sex, comorbidities, surgical approach, or stage of the primary tumor. No patient from either group had urinoma, pelvic abscesses, and tumor growth from bladder cuff wound was not observed in any patient within the 1-year postoperative follow-up period. Both groups of patients had a similar rate of postoperative urinary tract infections with sepsis (p = 0.639), time to Foley catheter removal (p = 0.630), time to drainage tube removal (p = 0.264), and length of hospitalization (p = 0.373).ConclusionFoley catheter removal on Postoperative Day 7 after nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision without routine cystogram appears to be safe in the majority of the UTUC patients. A large, multi-institutional study is required before this method can be recommended for widespread clinical practice.