Minimally Invasive Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy

Alternative approaches to retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes based on surgical approach for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in patients with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (PT-RMS).

METHODS

Patients undergoing RPLND for PT-RMS over 10 years at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Length of stay (LOS), complications, oral morphine equivalents per kilogram (OME/Kg), lymph node yield, and time to chemotherapy were assessed. The surgical approaches compared were: open transabdominal, open extraperitoneal, laparoscopic, and retroperitoneoscopic. For cases with lymphatic mapping, indocyanine green (ICG) was injected into the spermatic cord.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included: five open transabdominal, six open extraperitoneal, three laparoscopic, and six retroperitoneoscopic operations. LOS was shorter in the retroperitoneoscopic group than laparoscopic (p = 0.029) and both open groups (p < 0.001). Mean OME/kg used was lowest in the retroperitoneoscopic (0.13 ± 0.15) group compared to laparoscopic (0.68 ± 0.53, p = 0.043), open transabdominal (14.90 ± 8.87, p = 0.003), and extraperitoneal (10.11 ± 2.44, p < 0.001). Time to chemotherapy was shorter for retroperitoneoscopic patients (0.13 days ± 0.15) compared to open transabdominal (15.6 days±6.5, p = 0.005). There was no difference in lymph node yield between groups. Spermatic cord ICG demonstrated iliac lymph node avidity on near-infrared spectroscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive RPLND appears to offer a faster recovery without compromising lymph node yield for patients with PT-RMS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Major complications of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in a contemporary cohort of patients with testicular cancer and a review of the literature

Background

Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (pc-RPLND) is one cornerstone in the clinical management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumours (GCT). A wide range of complication rates in this type of surgery is reported so far. We retrospectively evaluated the frequency of major complications by using the Clavien-Dindo classification and analysed the influence of various clinical factors on complication rates in pc-RPLND.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 146 GCT patients undergoing pc-RPLND. Complications of grade III–V according to the Clavien-Dindo classification occurring within 30 days after surgery were registered along with the following clinical factors: age, body mass index (BMI), duration of surgery, number of anatomic fields resected, side of primary tumour, histology of surgical specimen, histology of primary tumour, and total dose of cisplatin applied prior to surgery. For comparison, we also evaluated 35 chemotherapy-naïve patients with primary RPLND and 19 with laparoscopic RPLND. We analysed types and frequencies of the various complications as well as associations with clinical factors using descriptive statistical methods.

Results

A total of 14.4% grade III–IV complications were observed in pc-RPLND, and 8.6% and 5.3% in primary and in laparoscopic RPLND, respectively. There was no perioperative mortality. Lymphocele was the most frequent adverse event (16% of grade III–IV complications). Operation time > 270 min (p = 0.001) and vital cancer in the resected specimen (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with higher complication rates. Left-sided resection fields involved two-fold higher complication rates, barely missing statistical significance (p = 0.06).

Conclusions

Pc-RPLND involves a grade III–V complication rate of 14.4%. Prolonged operation time and vital cancer in the residual mass are significantly associated with higher complication rates. The Clavien-Dindo classification system may allow inter-observer variation in rating complication grades, which may represent one reason for the wide range of reported RPLND complication rates. RPLND represents major surgery and surgeons active in this field must be competent to manage adverse events.

Is there still a place for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in clinical stage 1 nonseminomatous testicular germ-cell tumours? A retrospective clinical study

Background

Primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) ultimately lost its role as the standard management of clinical stage (CS) 1 nonseminomatous (NS) testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) in Europe when the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group released their recommendations in 2008. Current guide-lines recommend surgery only for selected patients but reasons for selection remain rather ill-defined. We evaluated the practice patterns of the management of CS1 patients and looked specifically to the role of RPLND among other standard treatment options.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the treatment modalities of 75 consecutive patients treated for CS1 NS at one centre during 2008–2017. The patients undergoing RPLND were selected for a closer review. Particular reasons for surgery, clinical features of patients, and therapeutic outcome were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.

Results

Twelve patients (16%) underwent nerve-sparing RPLND, nine surveillance, 54 had various regimens of adjuvant chemotherapy. Particular reasons for surgery involved illnesses precluding chemotherapy (n = 2), patients´ choice (n = 4), and teratomatous histology of the primary associated with equivocal radiologic findings (n = 6). Five patients had lymph node metastases, two received additional chemotherapy. Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in all cases. One patient had a grade 2 complication that was managed conservatively. All RPLND-patients remained disease-free.

Conclusions

Primary RPLND is a useful option in distinct CS1 patients, notably those with concurrent health problems precluding chemotherapy, and those with high proportions of teratoma in the primary associated with equivocal radiological findings. Informed patient’s preference represents another acceptable reason for the procedure. RPLND properly suits the needs of well-selected patients with CS1 nonseminoma and deserves consideration upon clinical decision-making.

Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection as Primary Treatment for Metastatic Seminoma

Reducing the long-term morbidity in testicular cancer survivors represents a major area of interest. External beam radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy are established treatments for seminoma; however, they are associated with late toxicities such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and secondary malignancy. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is a standard treatment for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) that has minimal long-term morbidity. Given the efficacy of RPLND in management of NSGCT, interest has developed in this surgery as a front-line treatment for seminoma with isolated lymph node metastasis to the retroperitoneum. Four retrospective studies have shown promising results when surgery is performed for seminomas with low-volume retroperitoneal metastases. To better determine if RPLND can be recommended as a primary treatment option, two prospective clinical trials (SEMS and PRIMETEST) are underway. This review will examine the literature, discuss the benefits/limitations of RPLND, and compare the methodologies of the two ongoing clinical trials.

The Evolving Role of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Pediatric and Adolescent Urologic Oncology

OBJECTIVE

This review aims at evaluating the current status of minimally invasive surgery at the difficult crossroad between the attractiveness of innovation faced against the solid outcomes offered by the current gold standard, specifically concerning pediatric and adolescent urologic oncology conditions.

METHODS

This is a critical review of the literature and current paradigms on the use of minimally invasive surgery for pediatric and adolescent urologic oncology cancers. Focus is mainly on the use of laparoscopy for the treatment of Wilms' tumors but other neoplasms are also discussed.

RESULTS

We draw parallels with other similar pathologies, respecting critical lessons from international cooperative study groups. We discuss various aspects of the pros and cons of minimally invasive surgery in this patient population and make a case for the development of dedicated pediatric surgeons for urologic cancer.

CONCLUSION

Herein we draft a proposal suggesting a way forward with the adoption of reasonable paradigm shifts founded on carefully conducted studies for the introduction of minimally invasive surgery in the care of pediatric and adolescent urologic cancer.

Complications in the surgical management of children with malignant solid tumors

With improvement in the outcomes for children with cancer has come an increasing focus on minimizing the morbidity from therapeutic interventions, including surgical procedures, while continuing to have a high likelihood of cure. Thus, an appreciation for the potential complications of surgery, both acute and long term, is critical when considering the risks and benefits of any procedure performed on a child with cancer. Although not meant to be an exhaustive review, here we discuss the most common and significant surgical complications that may occur when performing diagnostic, therapeutic, or supportive procedures in children with the most common malignant solid tumors.