[Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection valuable in the staging of clinically localized prostate carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of laparoscopic lymph node dissection of the obturator fossa in patients with prostate carcinoma with high risk of lymph node metastases.

DESIGN

Prospective descriptive study.

SETTING

Department of Urology, University Hospital Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

METHOD

Prior to curative therapy for prostate carcinoma a bilateral laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection was performed in 25 patients, with a high risk of lymph node metastases on the basis of tumour size, tumour grade or serum prostate specific antigen.

RESULTS

In 52% (13/25) of the patients lymph node metastases were found. Once a laparotomy was performed for an arterial bleeding. A mean of 11.6 lymph nodes were removed during bilateral dissection of the obturator fossa. Three quarter of the patients were discharged one day postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

A laparoscopic lymph node dissection is a valuable tool for the evaluation of pelvic lymph nodes in patients with a clinically localised prostate carcinoma and a high risk of lymph node metastases.