Role of a double docking to improve lymph node dissection: when robotically assisted laparoscopy for para-aortic lymphadenectomy is associated to a pelvic procedure.

Objective: The objective of this study was to demonstrate that robotically assisted laparoscopy for aortic lymph node dissection was improved when double docking (DD) of the Da Vinci system is used for combined surgical procedures [defined by the combination of a pelvic procedure and a para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PAL)].

Methods: From February 2007 to February 2013, 41 patients underwent combined procedures including PAL up to the left renal vein in 2 cancer centers. We used 2 different approaches as follows: a single docking (SD) of the Da Vinci system (transperitoneal PAL and pelvic surgery) during the first period (22 patients) and a DD during the second period (19 patients).

Axillary lymph node dissection in the case of sentinel lymph node micrometastatic invasion: evaluation of three predictive models.

Objective: To evaluate three predictive risk models of non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) involvement in the case of micrometastatic sentinel node (SLN) involvement for breast cancer.

Study Design: This retrospective study included 72 successive patients with micrometastatic SLN involvement who had surgery between March 1996 and October 2007. All patients had undergone immediate or delayed axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).