Nerve-Sparing Postchemotherapy Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (PC RPLND) for Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumour: Experience from a Tertiary Cancer Centre

Abstract

Postchemotherapy RPLND remains an integral part of management of testicular tumours. Nerve-sparing techniques can minimize the ejaculatory dysfunction due to the procedure. We report our functional and oncological outcomes for nerve-sparing RPLND in postchemotherapy settings. We analysed data from all patients undergoing nerve-sparing PC RPLND from January 1990 to December 2013 at our institute. Antegrade ejaculation and fertility issues were determined by patient history. Nerve sparing was achieved in 30% of patients undergoing PC RPLND. Of the 33 patients who underwent nerve-sparing PC RPLND, 19 (57.8%) had antegrade ejaculation. The mean time to antegrade ejaculation was 6.8months. After a median follow-up of 75.61months, 5-year disease-free survival was 98%. Nerve-sparing RPLND can improve functional outcomes without increasing recurrence rates in post chemotherapy setting.