Cystoscope- and Robot-Assisted Bladder Diverticulectomy

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Minimally invasive approaches to manage bladder diverticula have become increasingly popular; however, intracorporeal identification of bladder diverticula may be challenging. We report a novel technique for diverticular illumination using flexible cystoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After management of bladder neck obstruction, two patients with bladder diverticula and persistent lower urinary tract symptoms underwent robot-assisted bladder diverticulectomy. Cystoscopic illumination was used in both cases to aid diverticular identification and dissection. RESULTS: Our technique was simple to perform and facilitated identification and dissection of bladder diverticula. Postoperative cystography revealed no evidence of residual diverticula. CONCLUSIONS: Cystoscope-assisted illumination provides a straightforward method of identifying bladder diverticula during robot-assisted laparoscopic diverticulectomy.