Unilateral laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (LRPLND) in the management of clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT).

Since June 1993, unilateral LRPLND was performed in 6 patients diagnosed with clinical stage I NSGCT. All patients had undergone prior radical orchiectomy. The testicular cancer was left-sided in 3 cases and right-sided in the other 3 cases. Preoperative staging by means of tumor marker assessment, computerized tomography scan of the chest and abdomen and chest X-ray was unremarkable for metastatic disease.

All procedures were accomplished without any complications in a mean time of 325 min (275-420 min). The estimated perioperative blood loss was minimal (< 50 ml), and none of the patients required blood transfusion. In the case of the first patient, the hospital stay was 18 days due to a widespread subcutaneous emphysema. In the remaining 5 cases, the average hospitalization was 4.8 days, ranging from 4 to 6 days. The patients resumed normal activities within 12-27 days (mean 16.16 days) postoperatively. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 6.8, ranging from 5 to 9. Histologic examination of the dissected lymph nodes revealed microscopic metastases from embryonal carcinoma in 2 patients. Both of these patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. The mean follow-up period is 21.3 months, ranging from 6 to 36 months. To date, no relapses have been observed.

In accordance with other reports, we believe that LRPLND is both feasible and effective. However, the definitive assessment of the efficacy and morbidity of this diagnostic procedure requires a larger and more comprehensive series as well as longer follow-up.