Objectives. This report assesses the feasibility of laparoscopic pelvi
c lymphadenectomy in irradiated patients with prostate cancer being co
nsidered for salvage therapy. Methods. Six men, each with a prior hist
ory of external beam radiation therapy, and prostate-specific antigen
or clinical failure, were selected as potential candidates for salvage
therapy. Utilizing a standard diamond pattern trocar conformation, la
paroscopy was performed to evaluate pelvic lymph node status. Results.
The procedure was successfully completed in all patients with a mean
operating room time of 154 minutes. Blood loss averaged 55 cc. Serious
intraoperative or postoperative complications were not encountered in
the follow-up of 6 months. Metastatic disease was demonstrated in 1 p
atient. Conclusions. Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection is tech
nically feasible in patients who have received irradiation, and appear
s to confer no additional morbidity over standard laparoscopic lymphad
enectomy.