COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CLINICAL RESULTS OF ROBOT-ASSISTED AND OPEN RADICAL CYSTECTOMY IN THE TREATMENT OF BLADDER CANCER

Goal. To investigate and compare the economic and clinical effectiveness of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and open radical cystectomy (ORC) in patients with bladder cancer. Materials and methods. In a prospective randomized controlled trial, patients were randomly assigned to two groups depending on the type of surgery – RARC or ORC. Clinical evaluation was performed at weeks 0, 16, and 36, and patients' quality of life was assessed at 6 and 9 months using standardized EORTC questionnaires. The cost analysis included both direct and indirect costs, categorized. Results. The RARC group demonstrated a lower incidence of perioperative complications and lower intraoperative blood loss compared to the ORC group. However, despite the medical benefits, the costs of RARC turned out to be significantly higher, due to the use of high-tech equipment and increased costs for qualified personnel. Conclusions. Robot-assisted radical cystectomy can be economically justified with adequate clinical experience and resources, ensuring a reduction in the incidence of complications and an improved quality of life for patients with bladder cancer. Further research is needed to optimize costs and increase the availability of this technology.