Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy: surgical and oncological results

Pelvic and inguinal single-site approach: PISA technique. New minimally invasive technique for lymph node dissection in penile cancer

OBJECTIVES

To describe our initial experience with a new minimally invasive inguinal and pelvic single-access laparoscopic approach, for performing lymph node dissection (LND) in penile cancer: the Pelvic and Inguinal Single Access (PISA) technique.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

10 patients with different penile squamous cell carcinoma stages (cN0 and ≥pT1G3 or cN1/cN2) were operated by means of the PISA technique, between 2015-2018. Intraoperative frozen section analysis was carried out routinely and if ≥2 inguinal nodes (pN2) or extracapsular nodal extension (pN3) are detected, ipsilateral pelvic LND was performed sequentially as a single-stage procedure and using the same surgical incisions.

VARIABLES

30-day PCs, estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion rate, operative time, time to drainage removal, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Medians and ranges of values for selected variables were reported as descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Inguinal LND was bilateral in all cases, and pelvic LND was required in 40%. Total operative time was 120-170 min and median EBL was 66 (30-100) cc. No blood transfusion was required. No intraoperative complications were noted, and postoperative complications rate was 40% (10% major complications-symptomatic inguinal lymphocele). Median LOS was 5.8 (3-10) days. Median time to inguinal drain removal was 4.7 days. Mean number of lymph nodes removed by inguinal LND: 10.25 (8-14). Limited volume retrospective experience from a referral center with short follow-up. Outcomes reported may not be reproducible by surgeons with less experience and skills.

CONCLUSIONS

PISA is a novel, minimally invasive single-site surgical approach to one stage bilateral inguinal/pelvic LNDs for penile cancer showing a low rate of major complications.

Challenging the Contraindications of Minimally Invasive Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection: Report of 2 Cases

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic inguinal dissection is an emerging procedure utilizing minimally invasive technology to perform inguinal dissections aiming to avoid skin complications. Despite numerous reports there seems to be no consensus on inclusion and exclusion criteria, raising the question of when and when not to choose the minimally invasive technique. We compare the inclusion and exclusion criteria in published literature, and present our experience with 2 challenging cases; 1 with skin infiltration and the other with a previous lymphadenectomy scar.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present 2 cases where this procedure was performed, despite limited nodal skin infiltration in the first case, and presence of a fresh scar of a previous biopsy and recent history of chemotherapy treatment in the second case.

RESULTS

Despite skin infiltration by inguinal nodes, endoscopic inguinal dissection was performed and the attached skin was excised and delivered with the lymph nodes through the incision in the first case. Presence of a fresh scar and history of chemotherapy did not affect the outcomes in the second case, albeit fibrosis and adhesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Skin infiltration, previous lymphadenectomy, and previous groin therapy might not represent absolute contraindications in selected cases and in the hands of experienced surgeons.

Efficacy and Safety of Lateral Approach-Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (L-VEIL) over Open Inguinal Block Dissection: a Retrospective Study

This retrospective study compared the immediate post-operative short-term outcomes of Lateral Approach-Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (L-VEIL) and open surgery approach in patients with TNM stage N0 and N1 tumors. Inguinal lymphadenectomies performed for various TNM stage N0 and N1 cancers between January 2011 and December 2015 at a single center were analyzed by collecting data from operation theater records and case files. Mean blood loss, operative time, drain output, nodal yield, nodal positivity, and complications were analyzed as post-procedural outcomes. Among the 116 surgeries performed, 92 were open surgery and 24 were L-VEIL. Compared with open surgery, L-VEIL led to significantly lower blood loss (64.8 mL vs. 23.3 mL; p = 0.002), mean nodal yield (11.04 vs. 8.38; p = 0.001), and mean hospital stay (3.08 vs. 8 days; p < 0.001). However, the operative time was similar for both the groups (94.5 vs. 68.1 min; p = 0.08). Complications that were significantly low in L-VEIL were flap necrosis [RR 1.29; 95% CI (1.03-1.72); p < 0.001], wound dehiscence [RR 1.25; 95% CI (1.19-1.51); p = 0.005), wound infection [RR 1.34; 95% CI (1.19-1.51); p = 0.003], readmission [RR 1.3; 95% CI (1.17-1.44); p = 0.005], and re-surgery [p = 0.014]. Occurrence of complications such as lymphocele [RR 1.25; 95% CI (0.33-4.78); p = 0.5], lymphorrhea [RR 1.27; 95% CI (1.15-1.40); p = 0.5], and pedal edema [p = 0.2] were similar for both the approaches. L-VEIL was effective and safe compared with open inguinal block dissection in treatment of various TNM stage N0 and N1 urogenital and skin cancers.

Initial experience of video endoscopic inguinal Lymphadenectomy in a center located at northeast brazilian region

Introduction:

Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy – VEIL – has emerged as an alternative to reduce post-surgical complications (PSC) in patients with penile cancer submitted to inguinal lymphadenectomy (IL). In some series, these PSC are observed in more than 50% of patients. The objectives of the present study are to describe the initial experience of VEIL in a Hospital in Teresina, PI, Brazil, and to analyze PSC incidence.

Material and Methods:

Retrospective descriptive study of patients submitted to VEIL from March 2014 to November 2015. Data were collected regarding surgical time, bleeding, complications, lymph node number, conversion, global complications, drainage time, cellulitis, lymphocele, cutaneous necrosis, miocutaneous necrosis and hospitalization time.

Results:

20 lower limbs of 11 patients were operated. Mean age was 51.4 (24-72) years. Mean surgical time was 85 (60-120) minutes. No patient showed intrasurgical complications, bleeding > 50 mL or conversion. Three surgeries evolved with lower limb edema, 2 with lymphoceles and one patient had cutaneous necrosis and another bulging of surgical wound. Mean time of hospitalization was 4 (2-11) days. A mean of 5.8 (1-12) lymph nodes were dissected in each surgery.

Conclusion:

VEIL is a safe and easy technique with lower incidence of PSC that can be reproduced in small centers.

Modified endoscopic left inguinal lymphadenectomy

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy is an evolution of laparoscopic surgery thanks to background in these techniques. This is a new technique and the indications in the field of penile tumors today are expanding. The technique aims at reducing the morbidity of the procedure without compromising the cancer control or reducing the template of the dissection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present the modified endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy in a 70 years-old male patient with penile melanoma and positive sentinel lymph node in left inguinal limb. Intraoperative data, pathology, post operatory evolution and oncological follow-up is described

RESULTS

Operative time was 120 min. Nine lymph nodes were retrieved and none of then showed positivity at pathology. There were no complications. The drain was kept for five days. After 12 months of follow up, no signs of disease progression were noted.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy is feasible in clinical practice. New studies with a greater number of patients and long-term follow-up may confirm the oncological efficacy and possible lower morbidity of these new approach.