Resumen:
OBJECTIVES The number of lymph nodes obtained through lymphadenectomy during radical cystectomy has prognostic and therapeutic value. We analyzed the number of nodes obtained during laparoscopic radical cystectomy to assess whether this approach allows satisfactory lymphadenectomy. METHODS A total of 80 consecutive laparoscopic radical cystectomies with lymphadenectomy were performed by the same surgical team from 2005 to 2008. The male/female ratio was 5.7: 1, the mean age was 65.3 years (range 47-87), and average body mass index was 26.7 kg/m(2) (range 20.6-40.1). Iliac-obturator lymphadenectomy up to the aortic bifurcation was performed after excising and pocketing the bladder. We analyzed the total number of lymph nodes identified by the pathologist and investigated a possible correlation with the variables presumably related to anatomic characteristics and other circumstances. RESULTS The mean operative time of this step was 32 minutes (range 17-70). Minor vascular morbidity was present in 5 cases (6.25%). The average number of lymph nodes obtained was 22.3 (range 7-74, median 21). In 75 cases (93.8%), >= 10 nodes were obtained, and in 33 cases (41.2%), lymph node metastasis was diagnosed. N...