title: Current technique and results for extended pelvic lymph node dissection during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.
abstract: The practice of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) remains one of the most controversial topics in the management of clinically localized prostate cancer. Although most urologists agree on its benefit for staging and prognostication, the role of the ePLND in cancer control continues to be debated. The increased perioperative morbidity makes it unpalatable, especially in patients with low likelihood of lymph node disease. With the advent of robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, many surgeons were slow to adopt ePLND in the robotic setting. In this study, we summarize the evidence for the prognostic and therapeutic roles of ePLND, review the clinical tools used for lymph node metastasis prediction and survey the numerous experiences of ePLND compiled by robotic urologic surgeons over the years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Firas G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Petros
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Janet B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kukreja
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Davis
keywords: Lymph node excision; Prostate neoplasms; Prostatectomy; Robotic surgical procedures