title: Extended versus standard pelvic lymphadenectomy during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: the role of extended template as an independent predictor of lymph node invasion with comparable morbidity burden.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess oncologic and surgical outcomes in patients subjected to standard (S) versus extended (E) pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).
  
  
  METHODS
  From February 2009 to December 2015 a total of 184 consecutive patients underwent RARP and either standard or extended PLND for localized prostate cancer (PCa). Descriptive statistics compared clinical and pathological variables between groups. Logistic regression identified potential predictors of lymph node invasion (LNI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant preoperative differences were found between the EPLND and SPLND groups. No difference in complication rates was observed between groups. No group differences were found for intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization times, positive surgical margins, biochemical recurrence, sexual dysfunction or need for adjuvant therapy. A higher median range of LN yield was found for the EPLND compared to SPLND cohort (22.5 vs. 12.8; P<0.001). Of the 36 patients who had positive LNs at the final pathology, 22 were in the EPLND group and 14 in the SPLND group (P<0.01). PSA, clinical stage and both number of nodes removed and EPLND were significant univariable predictors for LNI. In the multivariable model, PSA, clinical stage and number of removed nodes were independent predictors of LNI. EPLND was an independent predictor of LNI after accounting for PSA, clinical stage and Gleason Score stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPLND during RARP is safe and effective. It results in more removed nodes and a higher LN positivity rate compared to SPLND, predicting LNI without increasing complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy - mistretta.francesco.a@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francesco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Mistretta
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelica A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lo Russo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: DE Lorenzis
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maggioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palmisano
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dell'orto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bosari
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rocco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D010388:Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome