Robot-Assisted Treatment of Symptomatic Lymphocele Postradical Prostatectomy and Lymphadenectomy in the Era or Robotic Surgery: Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Pelvic lymphnode dissection (PLND) is an integral part of surgical treatment for localized intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer. The most common complication of PLND is lymphocele formation. In the majority of cases the development of lymphoceles is clinically asymptomatic but in case of symptomatic/infected lymphocele an active treatment is required. The aim of this article is to analyse the current evidence on the treatment of symptomatic/infected lymphocele trough robotic approach. Materials and Methods: The search was applied to PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases with following terms: “lymphocele”, “symptomatic”, “infected”, “robot-assisted AND radical prostatectomy”, “robot-assisted”, “treatment”. Results: The search identified three series focusing on the treatment by robot-assisted approach of symptomatic and/or infected lymphocele. The main and most frequent reason for performing the robotic treatment was an infected lymphocele, the median time from robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and PLND to robotic treatment of lymphocele was 118 days (range 30-240). Robot-assisted treatment was successful in all reports. Conclusions: The drainage of lymphocele with the robot-assisted approach appeared safe, feasible, and with satisfactory outcomes for the definitive treatment of symptomatic/infected lymphocele.

Robot-assisted lymphovenous anastomosis surgery for lymphocele in the groin

“… 3 7–11 Yet, literature on lymphocele reconstruction, particularly using robotic systems, remains sparse. 12 Conventional lymphovenous anastomosis has been a mainstay in the surgical treatment of lymphatic conditions, including lymphoceles, due to its direct approach and the surgeon’s ability to use tactile feedback during the procedure. 3 A comparison between robot-assisted lymphovenous anastomosis and conventional lymphovenous anastomosis highlights each method’s unique benefits and hurdles, significantly shaped by the extent of technological use, cost factors and the impact on surgical outcomes.…”