Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection for carcinoma of the prostate and bladder.

Improvements in instruments and camera systems have allowed the development of operative techniques for laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection. A series of dissections in 20 patients is reported. The mean operation time was 1 h and 40 min. When the nodes appeared malignant, a node biopsy was sent for frozen section. If this was positive, the dissection went no further. In three patients it was necessary to complete the operation by open surgery. A mean number of five lymph nodes was dissected per side. After laparoscopic dissection, all patients were discharged the morning after surgery. The operation is possible without making great demands on hospital bed occupancy and the patient has a comfortable and speedy return to normal activity. Using laparoscopic techniques, node dissection becomes a more appealing option as an investigation and staging procedure.