Robot‐assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: Initial experience in Japan

Abstract

AbstractFor patients with testicular tumors who need the surgical management, open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (O‐RPLND) is considered the gold standard treatment. However, recently, robot‐assisted RPLND (R‐RPLND) has gained popularity as a minimally invasive therapy alternative to O‐RPLND and laparoscopic RPLND. Here, we report the case of a 32‐year‐old man presenting with a left testicular teratoma with several enlarged left para‐aortic lymph nodes. After the orchiectomy, the patient underwent R‐RPLND with an operation time of 279 min, console time of 189 min, bleeding volume of 59 mL, and no significant complications, resulting in a successful outcome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of R‐RPLND in Japan. Based on our experience, R‐RPLND may provide safe and effective outcomes; however, further research is required before the widespread implementation of this technique.