Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for left clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell testicular cancer: focus on port placement and surgical technique

Unilateral post-chemotherapy robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in Stage II non-seminomatous germ cell tumor: A tertiary care experience

Objective

Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) represents an integral component of the management of patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). Modified templates have been proposed to minimize the surgical morbidity of the procedure. Moreover, the implementation of robotic surgery in this setting has been explored. We report our experience with unilateral post-chemotherapy robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-rRPLND) for clinical Stages IIA and IIB NSGCTs.

Methods

A retrospective single institution review was performed including 33 patients undergoing PC-rRPLND for Stages IIA and IIB NSGCTs between January 2015 and February 2019. Following orchiectomy, patients were scheduled for chemotherapy with three cycles of bleomycin-etoposide-cisplatin. Patients with a residual tumor of <5 cm and an ipsilateral metastatic disease on pre- and post-chemotherapy CT scans were eligible for a unilateral template in absence of rising tumor markers. Descriptive statistics were provided for demographics, clinical characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative parameters. Perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes were recorded.

Results

Overall, 7 (21.2%) patients exhibited necrosis or fibrosis; 14 (42.4%) had mature teratoma; and 12 (36.4%) had viable tumor at final histology. The median lymph node size at surgery was 25 (interquartile range [IQR] 21-36) mm. Median operative time was 180 (IQR 165-215) min and no major postoperative complications were observed. Anterograde ejaculation was preserved in 75.8% of patients. Median follow-up was 26 (IQR 19-30) months and a total of three recurrences were recorded.

Conclusion

PC-rRPLND is a reliable and technically reproducible procedure with safe oncological outcomes and acceptable postoperative ejaculatory function in well selected patients with NSGCTs.

Robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: a systematic review of perioperative outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) and to compare the perioperative outcomes of R-RPLND with open RPLND (O-RPLND), as RPLND forms an integral part of the management of testis cancer and R-RPLND is a minimally invasive treatment option for this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed^® , Scopus^® , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science™ databases were searched for studies reporting perioperative outcomes of primary and post-chemotherapy R-RPLND and studies comparing R-RPLND with O-RPLND.

RESULTS

The search yielded 42 articles describing R-RPLND, including five comparative studies. The systematic review included 4222 patients (single-arm studies, n = 459; comparative studies, n = 3763). Of 459 patients in the single-arm studies, 271 underwent primary R-RPLND and 188 underwent post-chemotherapy R-RPLND. For primary R-RPLND, the operative time ranged from 175 to 540 min and the major complication rate was 4.1%. For post-chemotherapy R-RPLND, the operative time ranged from 134 to 550 min and the major complication rate was 8.5%. The conversion rate to open surgery was 2.2% in primary R-RPLND and 9.0% in post-chemotherapy R-RPLND. In comparison with O-RPLND, R-RPLND was associated with a lower transfusion rate (14.5% vs 0.9%, P < 0.001) and a lower complication rate (18.5% vs 7.8%, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted RPLND has acceptable perioperative outcomes in both the primary and post-chemotherapy settings but a notable rate of conversion to open surgery in the post-chemotherapy setting. Compared with O-RPLND, R-RPLND is associated with a lower transfusion rate and fewer overall complications. Given the potential impact of selection bias, the optimal patient selection criteria for R-RPLND remain to be elucidated.

Robotic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection in Advanced Stage Disease

OBJECTIVES

The current report describes the feasibility of robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RRPLND), including some technical tricks for port placement for both right- and left-sided surgery.

METHODS

Patients with advanced stage retroperitoneal disease underwent RRPLND using the 4-arm da Vinci Si Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.). In both cases, the field of dissection was an ipsilateral template for lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

RRPLND in such configuration was safe and effective in both cases. The illustrated port placement with perpendicular docking of the robot allowed for a wide range of motion with limited external clashing, providing sufficient space for the assistant surgeon. The operative time was 300 min (including docking and console time), with no perioperative complications and short hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

The port configuration for right- or left-sided unilateral template RRPLND was feasible, permitting a wide range of motion for the robotic arms and thus facilitating an efficient and safe dissection.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for stage IIIb mixed germ cell testicular cancer after chemotherapy

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, especially when performed with the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical), has shown excellent cosmetic results with similar oncologic outcomes to those of open surgery. In this study, we present a case of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection performed in an 18-year-old man who was diagnosed with a stage IIIb mixed germ cell tumor and who was initially treated with radical orchiectomy, followed by chemotherapy. This case shows that robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is technically feasible, safe, and cosmetically favorable, even when performed on patients with high-stage disease or after chemotherapy.

Laparoendoscopic single-site retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in non-seminomatous germ cell malignancy

INTRODUCTION

Umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery represents an excellent alternative to laparoscopic or robotic multiport surgery. LESS surgery offers faster recovery, less postoperative pain and optimal cosmetic results. LESS is possible in virtually any urologic surgery.

PATIENT AND METHOD

We present a 38-year-old male with BMI 31.2 and with history of stage I nonseminomatous mixed germ cell tumor showing interaortocaval lymph node recurrence without elevation of tumor markers. Patient was undergone to right laparoendoscopic single-site retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (LDRP-LESS) by umbilical approach using a single-site multichannel KeyPort (Richard Wolf GmbH, Knittlingen, Germany).

RESULTS

After the placement of the device and triangulation of the clips, we proceeded to operate on posterior parietal peritoneum. The descending colon was mobilized to access the retroperitoneum. Complete retroperitoneal lymph node dissection on the right side from iliac vessels to renal vessels, including the paracaval and interaortocaval space, was performed. The specimen was inserted into a laparoscopic bag and was removed together with multichannel system. Abdominal drainage was not employed. Surgical time was 85 min and estimated bleeding 50 cc. The patient was very satisfied with the cosmetic results and was discharged the following day without needing analgesia. The pathology report revealed metastatic seminoma in 5 of 11 lymph nodes receiving systemic chemotherapy (VP16-CDDPs) for 4 cycles with good tolerance. A year later, the patient was disease-free and had no complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Umbilical primary LDRP-LESS, with excellent oncologic and cosmetic results, is feasible in selected cases. This approach could be considered the least invasive surgical option economically advantageous due to the reusable nature of the instruments used.