laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy; a review

context to review and summarize the literature regarding the current status of postchemotherapy laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (pcl-rplnd) in patients with testicular germ cell tumor. evidence acquisition a comprehensive review of the english literature was performed using the pubmed database using the terms “laparoscopy” or “laparoscopic”, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and “postchemotherapy” or “chemotherapy”. results pc l-rplnd is more challenging than primary l-rplnd. however, morbidity, operative time, and complications have improved as surgical experience has increased. conclusions pcl-rplnd is a technically demanding procedure and should be performed in high volume-centers. it has been shown that pcl-rplnd is a feasible and effective procedure in experienced hands. the oncological efficacy of this approach is similar to the results of open series.