Impact of Perioperative Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Pathway on Early Outcomes after Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy: A Matched Analysis

Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of incorporating physical rehabilitation, nutrition and psychosocial care as part of the “NEEW” ( N utrition, E xercise, patient E ducation and W ellness) on perioperative outcomes after Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy (RARC). Methods Patients were divided into 2 groups:  pathway group (NEEW in addition to ERAS), versus pre-pathway group, before NEEW initiation (ERAS only). Propensity score matching was performed (ratio 1:2 ratio). Perioperative outcomes were analyzed and compared. Multivariate analyses were modeled to assess for association between NEEW pathway and postoperative outcomes. Result 192 were included in the study: 64 patients (33%) in the pathway group vs. 128 patients (67%) in the pre-pathway group. Pathway group had shorter median inpatient stay (5 vs 6 days, p Conclusion Standardized perioperative pathway with weekly multidisciplinary team meeting was associated with improved short-term perioperative outcomes after RARC.