Pelvic lymph node dissection in prostate cancer: Laparoscopy is not dead

Context: Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in localized prostate cancer is feasible through an open, laparoscopic or robot-assisted approach. Data comparing the three approaches is sparse.

Objective: To perform a review in order to compare the effectiveness of the different PLND approaches.

Acquisition of evidence: A search was performed including the following words: ("pelvic lymph node dissection") OR ("pelvic lymphadenectomy") AND ("French"[Language] OR "English"[Language]) AND ("1990"[Date-Publication]: "3000"[Date-Publication]) AND prostatectomy[Title]). Twenty-nine articles were finally included in the qualitative synthesis.

Evidence synthesis: Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection in prostate cancer is a minimally invasive procedure with a relatively short operative time, minimal blood loss, lower level of pain, shorter hospital stay, and fewer perioperative complications when compared to an open approach. This technique is more cost-effective than a robot-assisted approach.

Conclusion: Concerning the treatment of localized prostate cancer, laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection should be learned and applied by urologists.