Complications of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection

In summary, the complications of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for low-stage testis cancer appear to be minimal, especially with the advent of nerve sparing techniques. However, the approximate 30 per cent of patients who require primary chemotherapy and do not attain a complete remission are candiates for postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, and these patients are subject to a higher risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Maintaining awareness of these potential complications may aid in preventing morbidity in this group of patients.