The moderator of the session on the iROC trial, Khurshid Guru, MD, Chair of Urology and Director of Robotic Surgery at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, said that despite the benefit in perioperative outcomes demonstrated with robotic surgery in this study, open surgery remains a viable option when performed by the right surgeon.

Khurshid Guru, MD

“I don’t think the takeaway from this study is that you must only perform robot-assisted surgery with intracorporeal urinary diversion [radical cystectomy] because that is the best technique,” said Dr. Guru. “I think the message is you must be an expert in performing radical cystectomy with -diversion.”

“Expertise is ultimately the key,” Dr. Guru continued. “Some people might know how to perform open [radical cystectomy] very well, whereas others perform robot-assisted surgery well…. The choice of operation should be dictated by experience and training.” 

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Guru reported no conflicts of interest.