Minimally Invasive Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy: Current Status

Urol Clin North Am. 2015 Aug;42(3):321-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2015.04.006. Epub 2015 Jun 19.

Abstract

Although the standard approach of retroperitoneal lymphadnectomy (RLA) is open surgery, laparoscopy is an emerging technique in urology and reports of laparoscopic RLA are increasing. This article presents the indications, technique, and outcome of RLA as primary treatment and post-cisplatin-based chemotherapy by means of laparoscopy. In expert hands RLA is minimally invasive and reduces morbidity in comparison with open surgery, with the same oncologic outcome. However, patient selection is crucial.

Keywords: Dissection; Laparoscopy; Lymph node; RPLND; Retroperitoneal; Testicular cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / methods
  • Lymph Node Excision / methods*
  • Lymph Nodes* / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes* / surgery
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* / surgery
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Postoperative Complications* / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications* / etiology
  • Retroperitoneal Space* / pathology
  • Retroperitoneal Space* / surgery
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / surgery

Supplementary concepts

  • Nonseminomatous germ cell tumor