REDO RETROPERITONEAL LYMPHADENECTOMY FOR GERM-CELL TUMOR

Redo retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for the treatment o f germ cell tumors (GCTs) is an uncommonly performed procedure. We rep ort on 9 patients who underwent redo, RPLND at the University of Wisco nsin (UW) between January 1988 and December 1990. Indications for redo RPLND include: residual retroperitoneal mass after initial RPLND and chemotherapy, normal alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (B-HCG), otherwise negative metastatic workup, and evidence that the mass is resectable. Overall, 6 of 9 patients ar e alive with no evidence of disease at a mean follow-up of thirty-two months. Preoperative evaluation, histopathology, morbidity, and techni cal aspects of this procedure, which is a critical part of the managem ent of GCT, are reviewed.