Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer

Patients with testicular cancer who have had the cancerous testicle removed may require resection of lymph nodes, depending on the type and extent of disease as defined by imaging and blood markers.

The standard method for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is an open procedure through an additional incision. A modification to the standard approach is nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, in which the lumbar postganglionic nerves are identified and preserved in order to preserve antegrade ejaculation. A laparoscopic approach has the theoretical advantages of reduced morbidity and shorter recovery time.

The lymph nodes and lymph tissue that drains the testicle are removed laparoscopically, through small incisions in the abdomen. The number of nodes removed can vary from fewer than ten to over 50, and the limits of excision are defined by a predetermined template.

No local cancer recurrence was reported in a case series of 20 patients followed up for 10 months. In another case series, contralateral retroperitoneal recurrence was reported in 2% (1 out of 65) of patients with stage I cancer at 45 months, but no relapse was recorded among 47 patients with stage II disease at 35 months. In another case series, 97% (179 out of 185) of patients were relapse-free at 54 to 58 months' follow-up.

In a comparative trial, the mean postoperative hospital stay was 4 days for patients who had had the laparoscopic procedure. Patients who had had open surgery stayed in hospital for mean 10.6 days.

In an historically controlled study, the mean operative times for the first 14 patients undergoing laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection were 9.3 hours for right-sided tumours and 5.8 hours for left-sided tumours. For the next 15 patients, the operating times were 5.9 and 4.0 hours, respectively, which were similar to the 4.3 and 4.1 hours taken for the open procedure (30 patients). In other case series, the mean operative times for the laparoscopic procedure were 3.7 to 6.0 hours; they varied according to operator experience and stage of the cancers.

The rate of conversion to open surgery in case series ranged from 3% (5 out of 185) to 10% (2 out of 20). For more details, refer to the overview.

The Specialist Advisors noted that there is some controversy about whether the procedure should be used for diagnosis in early stage cancer.

In an historically controlled study, major bleeding occurred during the procedure in 3% (1 out of 29) of patients, and during 13% (4 out of 30) of open retroperitoneal lymph node dissections. In case series, intraoperative haemorrhage occurred in 5% (1 out of 20) to 18% (9 out of 49) of patients with stage I and stage II disease, respectively.

Retrograde ejaculation was reported in 0% (0 out of 29, and 0 out of 20) to 2% (3 out of 185) of patients following laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. In the controlled study and case series, the incidence of lymphocoele was 4% (3 out of 76) to 9% (16 out of 185): in most cases, this was minor and asymptomatic.

Other complications reported across the studies included: pressure sores in 14% (2 out of 14) of patients; gonadal vessel injury in 10% (2 out of 20); subcutaneous lymphoedema in 7% (1 out of 15); chylous ascites in 5% (9 out of 185; no cases were reported following the introduction of a new dietary regimen); injury to the inferior mesenteric artery in 5% (1 out of 20); renal artery or colon injury in 1% (2 out of 185); and transient irritation of the genitofemoral nerve in 1% (1 out of 76). For more details, refer to the overview.

The Specialist Advisors noted that the theoretical adverse events included vascular injury, bowel perforation, incomplete resection, haemorrhage, and local or port-site recurrence. They also noted that there may be increased risks when dissecting large nodal masses that encircle the aorta or vena cava.