Cancer or other conditions may necessitate the removal of your bladder in a procedure called cystectomy. A partial cystectomy refers to the removal of part of the bladder, and a full cystectomy refers to the complete removal of the bladder.

A cystectomy may alter the flow of urine through your urinary tract. A partial cystectomy leaves a smaller, but often functional bladder intact. Over time, a smaller bladder may stretch to increase its urine capacity, but surgical reconstruction of the bladder can help if your bladder capacity remains insufficient.

If your bladder is completely removed your urine will need to be re-routed so that it can leave your body in a process called urinary diversion. Urinary diversion is a procedure in which an opening is created in the body to re-direct urine so that it can leave the body.

How is Cystectomy Performed

Cystectomy can be performed either as open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or as a robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

Open surgery: This involves making an incision in the abdomen to access and remove all or part of the bladder.

Laparoscopic surgery: Sometimes a cystectomy can be performed laparoscopically, through several small incisions in the abdomen. A cystoscope (a small lighted tool with a camera at the end) is used in laparoscopic surgery to project camera images to a monitor so the doctor can visualize the surgery clearly. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive than open surgery, with less cutting, less bleeding, and a shorter recovery time.

Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopy: Laparoscopic surgery is sometimes performed with a surgical robot, which features is meant to enable the doctor to view and cut more precisely, and with less surgeon fatigue. Da Vinci is one popular robotic system used to perform da Vinci cystectomy.

Your doctor will determine which surgery will work best for you based on your state of health and the condition of you bladder and surrounding organs.

Following your cystectomy, you can expect to be in the hospital for about a week. Most people fully recover from the surgery over six to eight weeks. More treatment for bladder cancer may be necessary and follow up care will remain important.

Talk to your doctor about how your cystectomy will be performed, and what a cystectomy will mean for you.