Robotic-Assisted Video-Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (RAVEIL) and Video-Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (VEIL) versus Open Inguinal Lymph-Node Dissection (OILND) in carcinoma of penis: Comparison of perioperative outcomes, complications and oncological outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the peri-operative outcomes, complications, and oncological outcomes of Robotic-Assisted Video-Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (RAVEIL)/Video-Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (VEIL) with Open Inguinal Lymph-Node Dissection (OILND) for management of inguinal lymph-nodes in carcinoma of the penis.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed in January 2021 using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Data from human studies comparing RAVEIL/VEIL vs. OILND in carcinoma of penis published in English was extracted and analyzed by two independent authors.

RESULTS

Two Randomised Controlled Trials and 6 cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. RAVEIL/VEIL group exhibited increased operative time (Mean Difference [MD] = 15.28 [14.19; 16.38], P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (MD = -1.06 [-1.14; -0.98], P < 0.001), and decreased duration of drainage (MD = -2.82 [-3.21; -2.43], P < 0.001), wound infection (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.15 [0.08; 0.27], P < 0.001), skin necrosis (OR = 0.12 [0.05; 0.28], P < 0.001), lymphedema (OR = 0.41 [0.24; 0.72], P = 0.002), and major complications (OR = 0.11 [0.05; 0.24], P < 0.001) as compared to OILND group. Recurrence rate and number of deaths were comparable in both the groups. RAVEIL/VEIL groups showed slightly larger lymph-node yield (MD = 0.44 [0.18; 0.70], P < 0.001) as compared to OILND group.

CONCLUSION

RAVEIL/VEIL has lesser skin complications, lymphedema, and better lymph-node yield as compared to OILND. It is comparable in terms of lymphocele and recurrence. It has lesser hospital stay and duration of drainage but owing to heterogeneity, the results should be interpreted with caution. Further studies are required to determine long-term oncological outcomes like overall survival and disease-specific survival.