[Laparoscopic unilateral retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in non-seminomatous neoplasms of the testis in clinical stage I].

Since June 1993, unilateral laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (LRPLND) was performed in 6 patients diagnosed with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). All of the patients had undergone prior radical orchiectomy. The testicular cancer was left-sided in three cases and right-sided in three cases. Preoperative staging by means of tumor markers assessment, computerized tomography scan (CT) 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 to 420 min). The estimated peri- and postoperative blood loss was minimal. Of note, the comparison between the hematocrit and hemoglobin decrease of LRPLND and RPLND showed a statistically significant reduction (3.1 vs 11.1% P < 0.01 and 1.1 vs 3.2 g/dl P < 0.01). 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 five cases the average hospitalization was 4.8 days ranging between 4 and 6 days. The patients resumed normal activities within 12 to 27 days (mean 16.2 days) postoperatively. Mean number of lymph nodes removed was 6.8, ranging between 5 and 9. Histologic examination of the dissected lymph nodes revealed microscopic metastases from embryonal carcinoma in two patients. Both of these patients were subject to adjuvant chemotherapy. The mean follow-up period is 33.3 months, ranging between 18 and 48 months. To date, no relapses have been observed. In accordance with other reports, we believe that LRPLND is both feasible and effective. However, larger and more comprehensive studies with long-term follow-up are required to determine whether this approach is reliable and definitely superior to standard open surgery in the management of clinical stage I NSGCT.