Laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection for high-risk prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Recently, some controversy has arisen as to whether pelvic lymphadenectomy is still necessary for patients with prostate cancer who are undergoing radical prostatectomy. We prospectively evaluated the results and morbidity of laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection in patients with high-risk prostate cancer defined as a serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level greater than 10 ng/mL or preoperative biopsy Gleason score of 7 or more.


METHODS
In 123 consecutive patients with clinically organ-confined high-risk prostate cancer, laparoscopic extended pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed before laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The boundaries of the pelvic lymph node dissection were the bifurcation of the common iliac artery superiorly, the node of Cloquet inferiorly, the external iliac vein laterally, and the bladder wall medially. Preparation was done with bipolar forceps and scissors, with meticulous coagulation of all lymphatic tissue. The mean PSA level was 14.8 ng/mL (range 1.5 to 43.4). The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 21 (range 9 to 55). A total of 21 patients (17%) had lymph node metastases. The overall complication rate was 4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection is safe and effective. The results and morbidity are equivalent to those of open surgery, with the advantage of a minimally invasive operative technique.
Wyler
Stephen F
SF
Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Sulser
Tullio
T
Seifert
Hans-Helge
HH
Ruszat
Robin
R
Forster
Thomas H
TH
Gasser
Thomas C
TC
Bachmann
Alexander
A
D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010388:Pelvis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen