Robot-assisted pelvic lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer--where have we reached by 2009.

Objective: To review the current status and role of robot-assisted laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy. To review the need, extent, lymph node yield, oncological feasibility, and outcome of robot-assisted pelvic lymphadenectomy for invasive bladder cancer in patients undergoing a robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

Methods: The National Library of Medicine and the Pub Med were extensively searched for the cases of robot-assisted laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy performed in conjunction with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer using the following keywords: bladder cancer, pelvic lymphadenectomy, cystectomy, laparoscopy, robot, and robot-assisted radical cystectomy. These were reviewed and analyzed (using certain tabulated parameters) to determine the current status of robot-assisted pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Results: The search yielded about 12 major published series (278 cases) of "robot-assisted radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy," with an overall acceptable mean operating time(s), complication rate, blood loss, and hospital stay.

Conclusions: Robot-assisted laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in conjunction with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy is an oncologically feasible and technically safe procedure with acceptable early operative outcomes that appear to be comparable to those achieved with open/laparoscopic surgery.