[Pelvic lymphadenectomy: celioscopy or laparotomy?]

We analyzed the results of our first 26 laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissections performed in patients with cancer of the prostate and compared our findings with those obtained in a series of 16 laparotomy dissections. The two groups were comparable for plasma serum prostate specific antigen level (21.04 +/- 19 ng/ml vs. 29.3 +/- 12.8; p = 0.15 Student's unpaired t test), clinical stage at rectal examination and pathology stage. There was a significant difference in the number of post-operative days (4.3 +/- 2.45 days vs. 2.29 +/- 1.55 days; p = 0.025 Student's unpaired t test). The number of nodes removed was comparable (p = 0.35 Fischer exact test). Laparoscopic dissection of pelvic nodes is an interesting alternative to open surgery. Postoperative hospitalization is shorter and operative time is acceptable.