Robotic Radical Prostatectomy - STEP 2- Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection

The following video will highlight the technique of robotic pelvic lymph node dissection and its benefits. This is video 2 of 10 in a series focused on robotic radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.

Depending on the risk features of a man's prostate cancer (this is based on 1) the blood PSA level, 2) clinical stage (rectal exam - if a mass was palpated on the prostate) and 3) the Gleason grade from the biopsy study), a pelvic lymph node dissection may be performed to accurately stage the disease.

During robotic pelvic lymph dissection, all fibro-lymphatic tissue between fixed anatomic land-marks are dissected. This includes the obturator nerve, the iliac vessels, the median umbilical ligament and the pelvic side-wall.

This component of the procedure can take 20-30 minutes and may increase the risk of a symptomatic lymphocele to 1-2%. This will be discussed during counseling of treatment options and surgical intervention.