Robot-Assisted Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy in Testicular Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in testicular cancer is a documented treatment along with active surveillance and chemotherapy. This study aims to summarize the current evidence on the use of Robot-assisted RPLND (RARPLND) in comparison with the laparoscopic and open approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search was conducted in the existing literature focusing on reports with outcomes of RARPLND for stage I-IIB testicular tumor. RESULTS: Eleven studies complied with the inclusion criteria, including 116 patients. The average follow-up of 21.2 months showed no retroperitoneal recurrence. The median lymph node yield was 22.3 and the overall positive rate was 26%. Complications were encountered in 8% of the patients. The robotic approach showed similar results to the laparoscopic approach and outperformed the open procedure in perioperative parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Relapse-free survival, nodal yield, and complication rates during RARPLND for clinical stage I-IIB are acceptable. Further studies are required to establish these findings and determine benefit from the use of robotic approach.

Duke Scholars

Author Dimitrios Moris  

Author Kevin Naresh Shah Surgical Oncology