title: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer: a surgical atlas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, robotic approaches to cystectomy have been reported. Lymphadenectomy remains an important diagnostic component of cystectomy. As with resection of the primary tumor, the use of new technologies must not compromise the oncological benefits of lymphadenectomy, We describe our approach to and results of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in cystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the technique of standard and extended pelvic lymph node dissection during robotic-assisted cystectomy. The classic da Vinci or the da Vinci S robotic platform is utilized for lymphadenectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight patients underwent a standard dissection with a mean number of lymph nodes removed of 19 (range, 8-33). Extended lymph node dissection has been performed in 22 patients with a mean of 30 lymph nodes removed (range, 12-39). No surgical complications have occurred related to the lymphadenectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robotic laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy is feasible and safe, and is equivalent in efficacy to open approaches in bladder cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urologic Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Raj S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Pruthi
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wallen
mesh_terms: D015653:Cystectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D010388:Pelvis; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*