Robot assisted anterior pelvic exenteration for bladder cancer in female

The standard-of-care management of muscle invasive bladder cancer in females is anterior pelvic exenteration. This involves the surgical excision of the urinary bladder and the female reproductive organs in addition to pelvic lymphadenectomy. Among many factors, performing this procedure robotically requires thorough knowledge of female laparoscopic pelvic anatomy in order to conduct this complex surgery in a safe and efficient manner. However, most urologic surgeons are more familiar with male pelvic anatomy given the prevalence of the more frequently performed robotic prostatectomy. Our technique was developed based on minimal deviation from robotic radical cystectomy in males and this chapter will review its various steps and highlight the main differences.