The absence of urinary diversion in radical cystectomy avoids early complications in hemodialysis patients

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease who receive dialysis are considered a high-risk group for perioperative complications following anesthesia and surgery. However, for patients with anuria who will undergo radical cystectomy (RC), a urinary diversion is unnecessary. This study aimed to identify a safe surgical strategy by comparing oncologic outcomes and early complication rates in dialysis and nondialysis patients after RC. Materials and Methods: This study included 85 patients with primary urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder who underwent RC at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan. Twenty-eight of these patients underwent regular hemodialysis. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival were compared to evaluate the oncologic outcomes. Complications at 3 months were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Results: The overall survival and recurrence-free survival differences between dialysis and nondialysis patients were not significant (P = 0.686; P = 0.528). The degree of muscle-invasive disease was an independent factor affecting overall survival. The overall complication rates in the dialysis and nondialysis groups were 36% and 84%, respectively (P < 0.001). The major complication (Grades III-V) was 16% in the dialysis group and 28% in the nondialysis group (P = 0.241). The most common early complications were urinary tract infection and bowel kinetics change, and both were significantly lower in the dialysis group. A lower re-admission rate was also observed in the dialysis group. Conclusion: Lower rates of early complications and acceptable survival outcomes were observed in dialysis patients. Surgery can be conducted more aggressively, with confidence in suitable cases.