Is post-chemotherapy resection of seminomatous elements associated with higher acute morbidity?

A seminomatous element in patients undergoing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer is associated with a desmoplastic reaction that renders retroperitoneal surgery more challenging. We examined the impact of seminomatous elements on the rate of complications and the need for additional intraoperative procedures in patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

The testis cancer data base at our institution was retrospectively reviewed and 1,366 patients were identified who underwent post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection between 1973 and 2001. In 97 patients there was an element of seminoma in the dissection specimen and/or pure seminoma in the testicular primary specimen (seminoma group). The remaining 1,269 patients underwent post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous testicular tumors. The rates of intraoperative complications and additional procedures as well as postoperative complications were analyzed.

Of the 97 patients in the seminoma group 37 (38.1%) required a total of 47 additional intraoperative procedures, including 25 nephrectomies, 9 inferior vena caval resections, 5 arterial grafts, 5 bowel resections and 3 hepatic resections/biopsies, compared with 340 of the 1,269 patients (26.8%) in the group without seminomatous elements (p = 0.02). Postoperatively complications occurred in 24 of 97 patients (24.7%) in the seminoma group versus 257 of 1,269 (20.3%) in the group without seminomatous elements (p = 0.29). One of the 97 patients in the seminoma group died secondary to postoperative complications.

A seminomatous element in patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is associated with a higher rate of additional intraoperative procedures and postoperative complications than in patients without seminomatous elements. However, resection is still possible with acceptable morbidity when indicated in appropriately selected patients.