A comparative analysis of robotic vs laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and perioperative outcomes of robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) vs laparoscopic RPLND (L-RPLND). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective testicular cancer registry was queried for patients who underwent a primary unilateral R-RPLND or L-RPLND by a single surgeon for a stage I testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumour. Groups were compared for differences in baseline and outcome variables. RESULTS: Between July 2006 and July 2014, 16 R-RPLND and 21 L-RPLND cases were performed by a single surgeon. Intra- and perioperative outcomes including operative time, estimated blood loss, lymph node yield, complicate rate, and ejaculatory status were similar between groups (all P > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: As an early checkpoint, R-RPLND appears comparable to L-RPLND in terms of safety and perioperative outcomes. It remains unclear if R-RPLND offers any tangible benefits over standard laparoscopy.