Abstract
(Purpose) We evaluated the usefulness and morbidity of laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) as a staging procedure for prostate cancer.
(Materials and Methods) Twenty-seven patients with T1-T3 prostate cancer scheduled for conformal radiation therapy underwent LPLND.
(Results) The median operation time was 103 minutes (range; 58-137 minutes), and the median intraoperative estimated blood loss was 5ml. (range; very little-273ml.). This procedure covered obturator nodes and the median number of dissected lymph nodes was 8.0. Median days to oral intake and return to normal activity were 1.0 days and 1.0 days, respectively.
(Conclusions) LPLND appears to be a safe, minimally invasive and useful procedure as a means of accurate staging for patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiation therapy.
