Reports on perioperative complications after postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) for nonseminoma germ cell tumour (NSGCT) are from experienced single centres, with a lack of population-based studies.
To assess the complications of bilateral and unilateral PC-RPLND.
A prospective, population-based, observational multicentre study included all patients with NSGCT who underwent PC-RPLND in Norway and Sweden during 2007-2014. Of a total of 318 patients, 87 underwent bilateral PC-RPLND and 231 underwent unilateral PC-RPLND. The median follow-up was 6 yr.
Bilateral and unilateral PC-RPLND were compared for the outcomes of intra- and postoperative complications (graded by Clavien-Dindo) and retrograde ejaculation (with or without nerve-sparing surgery). Complications were reported as absolute counts and percentages. The χ2 test was used for comparisons.
The incidence of intraoperative complications was higher for bilateral PC-RPLND than for unilateral PC-RPLND (14% vs 4.3%, p = 0.003), with ureteral injury as the most frequent reported complication (2% of the patients). Postoperative complications were more common after bilateral than after unilateral PC-RPLND (45% vs 25%, p = 0.001) with Clavien ≥3b reported in 8.3% and 2.2%, respectively (p = 0.009). Lymphatic leakage was the most common complication occurring in 11% of the patients. Retrograde ejaculation occurred more frequently after bilateral than after unilateral surgery (59% vs 32%, p < 0.001). Limitations of the study include reporting of retrograde ejaculation, which was based on a chart review.
Intra- and postoperative complications including retrograde ejaculation are more frequent after bilateral PC-RPLND than after unilateral PC-RPLND.
Lymph node dissection in patients with testicular cancer puts them at risk of complications. In this study, we present the complications after lymph node dissection.
European urology oncology. 2019 Sep 07 [Epub ahead of print]
Axel Gerdtsson, Ulf Håkansson, Magnus Törnblom, George Jancke, Helene F S Negaard, Ingrid Glimelius, Dag Halvorsen, Ása Karlsdóttir, Hege Sagstuen Haugnes, Kristine Engen Andreassen, Signe Melsen Larsen, Göran Holmberg, Rolf Wahlqvist, Torgrim Tandstad, Gabriella Cohn-Cedermark, Olof Ståhl, Anders Kjellman
Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Urology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Urology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. Electronic address: ., Gastrocenter, Lund, Sweden., Department of Clinical Science and Education, Section of Urology, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Surgery, Visby County Hospital, Visby, Sweden., University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden., Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway., Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Unit of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Uppsala University, Sweden., Department of Urology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway., Department of Oncology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway., Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, UIT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway., Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway., Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden., The Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway., Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; PO Bäckencancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden., Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden., Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Urology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Urology, Pelvic Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.