[Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy - pro robotic].

The indications to perform primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in patients with clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumors have changed. An initial surgical staging can be justified only for exceptional situations, such as a pure teratoma. Other indications can be the surgical staging and treatment of high risk patients in elective surgery. In this situation, however, only sparse data are available regarding the oncological and therapeutic effect of a minimally invasive approach compared to open surgery. Data are available on the feasibility of laparoscopically performed post-chemotherapy RPLND; however, patients for this approach must be highly selected. In general, robotic-assisted RPLND potentially offers major advantages in terms of safety and oncological efficiency compared to a classical laparoscopic approach. Especially in post-chemotherapy RPLND, the division of lumbar vessels and the control of great vessel lesions may be facilitated. However, only surgeons who are capable of handling a major vessel lesion endoscopically should consider using a robotic-assisted technique. Only patients with relatively small residual tumors without a major involvement of great vessels can be considered as candidates for robotic-assisted post-chemotherapy RPLND.