title: Controversial technology: the Chunnel and the laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).
abstract: • Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (L-RPLND) was first introduced in 1992, initially as a staging procedure. • With advances in instrumentation and laparoscopic techniques, as well as improved understanding of laparoscopic anatomy, L-RPLND has developed to duplicate open RPLND. • Unlike the relatively rapid adoption of laparoscopy for other applications including nephrectomy and prostatectomy, L-RPLND has been slow to be universally accepted. • The limited numbers of patients requiring RPLND and technical challenges in performing the dissection have undoubtedly contributed to its delayed reception. • This review will present available data on this technique and discuss issues potentially inhibiting acceptance by traditional surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Arthur Smith Institute for Urology, North Shore/Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Louis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Kavoussi
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000601:surgery*; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*