To evaluate the perioperative and oncological outcomes after post-chemotherapy robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RARPLND).
We retrospectively reported the perioperative and oncological outcomes of all the patients with testicular cancer who underwent PC-RARPLND at three tertiary teaching centers. Descriptive statistical measures were used to report demographic, clinical, intraoperative, postoperative and oncological outcomes.
There were 43 consecutive patients who underwent PC-RARPLND at the participating institutions. Mean patient age was 29.2 years (± 8.2), BMI was 26.6 kg/m2 (± 6.2). The mean size of retroperitoneal mass was 4.1 cm (± 3.5). Full bilateral template dissection was performed in 38 (88.3%) patients. Nerve sparing was attempted in 19 (44.1%) patients. Mean operative time was 374 min (± 132) and estimated blood loss was 292 ml (± 445.6). The mean postoperative LOS was 2.8 days (± 5.9). There was a total of 12 complications in 10 patients (Clavien grade I = 5, II = 3, III = 3 and IV = 1). Postoperative pathology demonstrated 24 patients (55%) with necrosis/fibrosis, 16 (37%) with teratoma and 3 (7%) with viable tumor. Mean lymph node (LN) yield was 26.5 LNs (SD ± 16.1). Patients were followed for a mean of 30.7 months (± 24.7). No deaths were documented during follow-up and 2 pulmonary recurrences were identified. Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in 70.6% of patient who underwent nerve sparing. Limitations included retrospective nature and limited follow up.
PC-RAPLND is safe and technically reproducible. It provides improved morbidity and less convalescence.
World journal of urology. 2021 May 07 [Epub ahead of print]
Haidar Abdul-Muhsin, Nicholas Rocco, Anojan Navaratnam, Michael Woods, James L'Esperance, Erik Castle, Sean Stroup
Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 85054, USA. ., Department of Urology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA., Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 85054, USA., Department of Urology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA., Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.