Open Versus Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder 2. Patients with an indication to ureterocutaneostomy or ileal conduit 3. ECOG Performance Status ≤ 2 4. WBC count ≥4,000/μL; platelet count ≥150,000/μL 4.Recent (within 6 weeks of cystectomy) total body CT imaging study excluding distant metastases as well as upper urinary tract TCC Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients who have previously undergone lower abdominal and/or pelvic surgery for invasive cancer (i.e. radical prostatectomy, large bowel surgeries with or without ileal/colonic conduit) 2. Patients who have previously received any pelvic irradiation 3. Patients with a synchronous upper urinary tract malignancy requiring a nephroureterectomy concomitant to cystectomy 4. Patients candidates for a palliative cystectomy (i.e. recurrent haematuria which cannot be treated by endoscopy) 5. Patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of bladder adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma