Dana,
You were reading the wrong information if you read that robotic is the best. The jury is still out on the actual effectiveness of the surgery compared to open. That requires lot of surgeries in order to do the statistical comparisons.
As Pat said elsewhere, robotic is 'relatively' new when it comes to cystectomies. Some doctors have done a lot and some doctors are just getting started (learning).
Hospitals buy the things because one doctor or department pushes for it because the sales rep bought them a trip or a dinner or golf at a great course or whatever and then the hospital encourages doctors to use them so they can show a return on the investment. Once a doctor uses the robot a lot, in a lot of different situations, he/she builds a high proficiency with them. Using them can be easier/safer in the long term but not during the learning curve (which again, is based on the frequency of that particular surgeon using it in a variety of situations).
The most typical for neobladder surgery is open surgery. Don't be concerned about the 'type' of surgery right now. Open is what his top surgeon is best at and it therefore what he should do.
Mike
Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...