title: A comparative analysis of robotic vs laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the safety and perioperative outcomes of robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) vs laparoscopic RPLND (L-RPLND).
  
  
  METHODS
  Our Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective testicular cancer registry was queried for patients who underwent a primary unilateral R-RPLND or L-RPLND by a single surgeon for a stage I testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumour. Groups were compared for differences in baseline and outcome variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between July 2006 and July 2014, 16 R-RPLND and 21 L-RPLND cases were performed by a single surgeon. Intra- and perioperative outcomes including operative time, estimated blood loss, lymph node yield, complicate rate, and ejaculatory status were similar between groups (all P > 0.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As an early checkpoint, R-RPLND appears comparable to L-RPLND in terms of safety and perioperative outcomes. It remains unclear if R-RPLND offers any tangible benefits over standard laparoscopy.
authors.affiliation: The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gorin
authors.affiliation: The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pierorazio
authors.affiliation: The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mohamad E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Allaf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: RPLND; retroperitoneal lymph node dissection; robotic surgery; testicular cancer