One hundred consecutive laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissections: comparing complications of the first 50 cases to the second 50 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To report the outcome of our first 100 consecutive laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissections (LPLND) and compare the early complication rate of the first 50 cases (14%) to the second 50 cases (4%).


METHODS
We reviewed 100 patients who underwent LPLND: Ninety-six patients had carcinoma of the prostate and underwent LPLND prior to radical prostatectomy or definitive radiation therapy. Four patients had histologically proved penile (2) or bladder carcinoma (2) and underwent LPLND to assess their pelvic lymph nodes.


RESULTS
We encountered 7 major and minor complications in our first 50 cases, and 2 minor complications in our second 50 cases. The overall complication rate was 9% (9 of 100).


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that modification of our operative technique and changes in patient management resulted in a lower complication rate in the second 50 patients. We conclude that although LPLND has a significant learning curve, it is a viable surgical staging option for patients with urologic pelvic malignancies.
Lang
G S
GS
Division of Urology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California.
Ruckle
H C
HC
Hadley
H R
HR
Lui
P D
PD
Stewart
S C
SC
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery