Robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for post-chemotherapy residual mass in testicular cancer: Long-term experience from a tertiary care centre

OBJECTIVES: To present our intermediate to long-term oncological and functional outcomes of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RA-RPLND) in post-chemotherapy (PC) residual mass in testicular cancers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest single-centre experience of RA-RPLND for in such setting. METHODS: Prospectively maintained database of carcinoma testis patients undergoing RA-RPLND from February 2012 to September 2021 was reviewed. Patient demographics, tumour stage and risk groups and chemotherapy details were recorded. Intraoperative details and post-operative complications were also noted. Pathological outcomes included were lymph node yield and histopathology report. Further, follow-up was done for recurrence and antegrade ejaculation status. RESULTS: Total of 37 cases were done for PC residual masses. International germ cell cancer collaborative group good, intermediate and poor risk proportion was 18 (48.6%), 14 (37.8%) and 5 (13.5%), respectively. Bilateral full template dissection, unilateral modified template dissection and residual mass excision was performed in 59.5% (22/37), 35.1% (13/37) and 5.4% (2/37) patients, respectively. The median size of the excised residual mass was 3.45 cm interquartile range (IQR 2–6 cm), with the largest being 9 cm. The median lymph nodal yield was 19. The most common histology was necrosis (n = 24, 65%), followed by teratoma (n = 11, 30%) and viable malignancy (n = 2, 5%). Antegrade ejaculation was reported in 32 patients (86.4%). After a median follow-up of 41 (IQR 14–64) months, only one patient had a recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: RA-PC-RPLND is thus a safe, feasible and oncologically effective option for selected patients. With increasing experience, larger masses can also be dealt with efficiently.