Initial series of robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular cancer

Eur Urol. 2011 Dec;60(6):1299-302. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2011.03.009. Epub 2011 Mar 21.

Abstract

Robotic technology has enabled urologists to perform a variety of laparoscopic surgeries. Robotic surgery offers enhanced optical magnification and visualization with precise surgical movements. We report the first case series of robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer in three consecutive patients. All procedures were performed using a modified template nerve-sparing approach. The mean patient age was 31 yr. Estimated blood loss was 150-200 ml; operative time was 150-240 min. Length of stay was 2 d, and there were no perioperative complications. This early series in carefully selected and well-informed patients represented a limited experience. These results may not be applicable to all surgeons. Further long-term follow-up with a larger number of patients are warranted to validate these preliminary findings.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Loss, Surgical
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy* / adverse effects
  • Length of Stay
  • Lymph Node Excision / adverse effects
  • Lymph Node Excision / methods*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / secondary
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / surgery*
  • Robotics*
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted* / adverse effects
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

  • Nonseminomatous germ cell tumor