Abstract
44 men scheduled for radical prostatectomy were alternately designated to undergo either open (24) or laparoscopic (20) pelvic lymphadenectomy. The technique is described. Tumour stage, grade and PSA serum level are reported for each group as well as the number and site of lymph node metastases found in both groups. External iliac lymph nodes must be included in the lymphadenectomy because of their frequent neoplastic involvment. The number of lymph node metastases is much higher in patients with stage B2-C, Mostofi grade 3 or Gleason score 6 or more and PSA serum level of 20 ng/ml or more; in this group of patients, laparoscopic surgery may become the method of choice for assessing lymph node status.
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