Robot-assisted extended pelvic lymph nodes dissection for prostate cancer: Personal surgical technique and outcomes

OBJECTIVE: Extended pelvic lymph nodes dissection (EPLND) allows the removal of a higher number of lymph nodes than limited PLND. The aims of this study were to describe our robot-assisted EPLND (RAEPLND) technique with related complications, and to report the number of lymph nodes removed and the rate of lymph nodal metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 153 patients underwent RAEPLND prior to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Indications were defined according to Briganti nomogram, to predict risk of lymph-nodal metastasis. Lymphatic packages covering the distal tract of the common iliac artery, the medial portion of the external iliac artery, the external iliac vein and the internal iliac vessels, together with the obturator and the presacral lymphatic packages were removed on both sides. RESULTS: Median preoperative PSA was 7.5 ng/mL (IQR 5.5-11.5). Median operative time was 150 min (135-170). Median RAEPLND alone operative time was 38 min (32.75-41.25); for right and left side, 18 (15-29) and 20 min (15.75-30) (p=0.567). Median number of lymph nodes retrieved per patient was 25 (19.25-30); 13 (11-16) and 11 (8-15) for right and left side. In 19 patients (12.41%) metastasis was found at the level of pelvic lymph nodes. Median number of positive lymph nodes was 1 (1-4.6) per patient. Complications occurred in 11 patients (7.3%). CONCLUSIONS: the number of lymph nodes removed was comparable to published data about open series, allowing the increase of detection rate of lymph nodal metastasis for minimally invasive approach without compromising complications' rate if performing the procedure following reported technique.