Citations

Objective To evaluate outcomes of the first 18 patients treated with robot‐assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection ( RA‐RPLND ) for non‐seminomatous germ cell tumours ( NSGCT ) and paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma ( RMS ) at our institution. Patients and Methods Between M arch 2008 and M ay 2013, 17 patients underwent RA‐RPLND for NSGCT and one for paratesticular RMS . Data were collected retrospectively on patient demographics, preoperative tumour characteristics, and perioperative outcomes including open conversion rate, lymph node ( LN ) yield, rate of positive LNs , operative time, estimated blood loss ( EBL ), and length of stay ( LOS ). Perioperative outcomes were compared between patients receiving primary RA‐RPLND vs post‐chemotherapy RA‐RPLND . Medium‐term outcomes of tumour recurrence rate and maintenance of antegrade ejaculation were recorded. Results RA‐RPLND was completed robotically in 15 of 18 (83%) patients. LNs were positive in eight of 18 patients (44%). The mean LN yield was 22 LNs . For cases completed robotically, the mean operative time was 329 min, EBL was 103 mL, and LOS was 2.4 days. At a mean (range) follow‐up of 22 (1–58) months, there were no retroperitoneal recurrences and two of 17 (12%) patients with NSGCT had pulmonary recurrences. Antegrade ejaculation was maintained in 91% of patients with a nerve‐sparing approach. Patients receiving primary RA‐RPLND had shorter operative times compared with those post‐chemotherapy (311 vs 369 min, P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in LN yield (22 vs 18 LNs , P = 0.34), EBL (100 vs 313 mL, P = 0.13), or LOS (2.75 vs 2.2 days, P = 0.36). Conclusion This initial selected case series of RA‐RPLND shows that the procedure is safe, reproducible, and feasible for stage I – IIB NSGCT and RMS in the hands of experienced robotic surgeons. Larger studies are needed to confirm the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of this technique.