IMPACT OF BODY MASS INDEX ON RADICAL CYSTECTOMY

Increased BMI independently poses a greater perioperative risk to the patient and contributes to the technical challenge of the cystectomy. This is most appreciated in the morbidly obese population and likely contributes to a greater use of incontinent diversion in this group. The increased perioperative risk associated with elevated BMI is significant but not prohibitive and should not preclude cystectomy as definitive treatment.