Postchemotherapy Robot-Assisted Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Metastatic Testicular Cancer: Initial Experience at a Brazilian Oncology Center

Abstract Introduction Testicular cancer is the most common neoplasm in men aged 20 to 40 years. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection plays an essential role in the treatment of such patients. Conventional open surgery has a complication rate of 30 to 36%. Some case series have demonstrated that a robot-assisted technique presented safety, oncological efficacy, and yielded lower complication rates. We retrospectively evaluated peri- and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy performed in patients at Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Materials and Methods The present study included all patients who underwent postchemotherapy robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for the treatment of metastatic testicular cancer at INCA. Results From August 2020 to November 2021, 5 robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissections were performed. The mean size of the resected mass was of 7.28 cm. The mean operative time was of 307.4 minutes, and the mean length of the postoperative hospital stay was of 3.2 days. The complication rate during the first 30 days after surgery was of 0%. Conclusion Robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic testicular cancer demonstrated favorable perioperative outcomes, with no readmissions or complications within 30 days. Appropriate selection of patients for this technique is crucial. A larger sample with an extended follow-up is necessary for a definitive conclusion.