AB001. Robotic assisted template pelvic lymph node dissection

Abstract: The current European Association of Urology (EUA) prostate cancer guidelines recommend performing extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in high-risk and intermediate-risk patients when the estimated risk for positive lymph nodes exceeds 5%. The EUA guidelines recommend extended-PLND for select intermediate risk and all high-risk patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. However, the therapeutic role of PLND during radical prostatectomy remains controversial. The perceived benefit lies in improved pathological staging. However the oncological benefit is unclear. A demonstration of our technique for robotic assisted pelvic lymph node dissection using the da Vinci Si console. Lymph node dissection is undertaken using the inguinal ligament as a distal landmark, the genitofemoral nerve laterally. The exact role of extended pelvic lymph node dissection in clinical practice has not been elucidated. There is not a clear definition of what defines an extended PLND. Here we demonstrate the technique performed in our institution to undertake a robotic assisted template PLND.

Keywords: Prostate cancer; robotic assisted prostatectomy; extended pelvic lymph node dissection