Prostate cancer staging after radiation utilizing laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy.
OBJECTIVE
This report assesses the feasibility of laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in irradiated patients with prostate cancer being considered for salvage therapy.


METHODS
Six men, each with a prior history of external beam radiation therapy, and prostate-specific antigen or clinical failure, were selected as potential candidates for salvage therapy. Utilizing a standard diamond pattern trocar conformation, laparoscopy was performed to evaluate pelvic lymph node status.


RESULTS
The procedure was successfully completed in all patients with a mean operating room time of 154 minutes. Blood loss averaged 55 cc. Serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were not encountered in the follow-up of 6 months. Metastatic disease was demonstrated in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection is technically feasible in patients who have received irradiation, and appears to confer no additional morbidity over standard laparoscopic lymphadenectomy.
Jarrard
D F
DF
University of Chicago, Department of Surgery, Illinois, USA.
Chodak
G W
GW
D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy