Dg. Assimos et Jp. Jarow, ROLE OF LAPAROSCOPIC PELVIC LYMPH-NODE DISSECTION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PENILE CANCER AND INGUINAL ADENOPATHY, Journal of endourology, 8(5), 1994, pp. 365-369
Patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and tumor
involvement of the inguinal nodes are at risk for pelvic lymph node me
tastases. When this spread occurs, the chance for patient survival is
limited. Because the sensitivity of CT in detecting pelvic lymph node
metastases is low, open surgical pelvic lymphadenectomy is frequently
performed. We have utilized laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy as a m
inimally invasive alternative to this open approach in three patients
with Stage T3 (UICC staging system) squamous cell carcinoma of the pen
is who had persistent inguinal adenopathy after a standard course of p
ostpenectomy antibiotic therapy. There were no intraoperative or posto
perative complications, and all patients were discharged within 24 hou
rs after surgery. The mean number of nodes removed was eight, and all
specimens were free of tumor. Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy shou
ld be considered in patients with persistent inguinal adenopathy after
antibiotic therapy before proceeding with inguinal lymph node dissect
ion.