100 CONSECUTIVE LAPAROSCOPIC PELVIC LYMPH-NODE DISSECTIONS - COMPARING COMPLICATIONS OF THE 1ST 50 CASES TO THE 2ND 50 CASES

Objectives. To report the outcome of our first 100 consecutive laparos copic pelvic lymph node dissections (LPLND) and compare the early comp lication rate of the first 50 cases (14%) to the second 50 cases (4%). Methods. We reviewed 100 patients who underwent LPLND. Ninety-six pat ients had carcinoma of the prostate and underwent LPLND prior to radic al prostatectomy or definitive radiation therapy. Four patients had hi stologically proved penile (2) or bladder carcinoma (2) and underwent LPLND to assess their pelvic lymph nodes. Results. We encountered 7 ma jor and minor complications in our first 50 cases, and 2 minor complic ations in our second 50 cases. The overall complication rate was 9% (9 of 100). Conclusions. We believe that modification of our operative t echnique and changes in patient management resulted in a lower complic ation rate in the second 50 patients. We conclude that although LPLND has a significant learning curve, it is a viable surgical staging opti on for patients with urologic pelvic malignancies.