[Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for localized prostate cancer].

Between April 1992 and May 1993, 13 patients (age, 66-79) with localized prostate cancer underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy at Asahi General Hospital. Clinical stage comprised A2 for 3 patients, B1 for 1 and C for 9. Lymphadenectomy covered inner half of external iliac nodes and obturator nodes, from pubic bone to proximal end of umbilical ligament. Operating time ranged from 70 minutes to 133 minutes with median of 102 minutes. The number of total lymph nodes dissected ranged from 3 to 17 nodes with median of 7. Lymph nodal involvement was detected in one patient. Two patients needed laparotomy due to bleeding; from abdominal wall caused at insertion of trocar in one, and oozing of blood for 10 hours after procedure in the other. Other serious complications were not observed. In conclusion, laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy was a good staging procedure for localized prostate cancer.