title: Hip and knee replacement as a relative contraindication to laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effect of lower extremity joint prostheses on subsequent laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the records and pathology studies of 5 patients who underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection subsequent to total hip or knee replacement from 1990 through 1995.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four of the 5 laparoscopic operations were complicated, 3 were unsuccessful in obtaining bilateral pelvic lymph nodes and 2 required conversion to an open procedure. Examination of the lymph nodes revealed sinus histiocytosis in the 4 cases in which nodal tissue was removed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased risk of complications in certain patients with lower extremity joint prostheses may contraindicate attempted laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Terrell
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Winfield
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000075202:Contraindications; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*