Surgical technique for preventing lymphatic complications during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Introduction . Radical prostatectomy (RP) stands the gold standard method of treatment for localised prostate cancer. Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is a common surgical procedure that can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Lymphocele is the most common complication after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and PLND. Objective. To develop a surgical technique aimed at reducing the incidence of lymphocele in patients who underwent RARP with TL and to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Materials & methods. The study included 49 patients who underwent RARP and PLND. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 — patients with free peritoneal flap fixed to the pubic bone after RARP and PLND (n = 25) and group 2 — control group «without peritoneal flap fixation» (n = 24). The average follow-up period was 3 months. Results . No significant differences in clinical parameters were observed between the groups in perioperative period. In postoperative period lymphocele was diagnosed in 5 (10.2%) patients: group 1 — 1 (4%) patients, group 2 — 4 (16.7%). There were no significant differences in lymphocele volume between the groups. In group 1 lymphocele had no clinical manifestation. Symptomatic lymphocele was diagnosed in 1 patient (4.2%) from the control group. Conclusion . The surgical technique of a free peritoneal flap fixation to the pubic bone combined with PLND after RARP may reduce the incidence of lymphocele if compared to the standard technique.