A comparative analysis of robotic versus laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer - Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and perioperative outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our institutional review board approved retrospective testicular cancer registry was queried for patients who underwent a primary unilateral robotic (R-RPLND) or laparoscopic (L-RPLND) RPLND by a single surgeon for a stage I testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. Groups were compared for differences in baseline and outcomes variables.

RESULTS: Between July 2006 and July 2014, a total of 16 R-RPLND and 21 L-RPLND cases were performed by a single surgeon. Intra- and perioperative outcomes including operative time, estimated blood loss, lymph node yield, complicate rate and ejaculatory status were similar between groups (all p > 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS: As an early checkpoint, R-RPLND appears comparable to the laparoscopic approach in terms of safety and perioperative outcomes. It remains unclear if R-RPLND offers any tangible benefits over standard laparoscopy.

Written by:
Harris KT, Gorin MA, Ball MW, Pierorazio PM, Allaf ME.
The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Reference: BJU Int. 2015 Mar 17. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1111/bju.13121


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25781349

Beyond the Abstract

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