The role of robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testicular cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RA-RPLND) versus non-robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testicular cancer. METHODS: The statistical analysis software used Stata 17. The weighted mean difference (WMD) represents the continuous variable, and the dichotomous variable chooses the odds ratio, and calculates the 95% CI. This systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA criteria, and AMSTAR guidelines (assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews). The Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched. The upper limit of the search time frame was February 2023, and no lower limit was set. RESULTS: Seven studies involving 862 patients. Compared with open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, RA-RPLND appears to have a shorter length of stay [WMD=−1.21, 95% CI (−1.66, −0.76), P<0.05], less estimated blood loss [WMD=−0.69, 95% CI (−1.07, −0.32), P<0.05], and lower overall complications [odds ratio=0.45, 95% CI (0.28, 0.73), P<0.05]. RA-RPLND appears to have more lymph node yields than laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection [WMD=5.73, 95% CI (1.06, 10.40), P<0.05]. However, robotic versus open/laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection had similar results in operation time, lymph node positivity rate, recurrence during follow-up, and postoperative ejaculation disorders. CONCLUSION: RA-RPLND appears to be safe and effective for testicular cancer, but longer follow-up and more studies are needed to confirm this.