Pelvic and inguinal single-site approach: PISA technique. New minimally invasive technique for lymph node dissection in penile cancer

Abstract

ObjectivesTo describe our initial experience with a new minimally invasive inguinal and pelvic single-access laparoscopic approach, for performing lymph node dissection (LND) in penile cancer: the Pelvic and Inguinal Single Access (PISA) technique. Material and methods10 patients with different penile squamous cell carcinoma stages (cN0 and ≥pT1G3 or cN1/cN2) were operated by means of the PISA technique, between 2015–2018. Intraoperative frozen section analysis was carried out routinely and if ≥2 inguinal nodes (pN2) or extracapsular nodal extension (pN3) are detected, ipsilateral pelvic LND was performed sequentially as a single-stage procedure and using the same surgical incisions. Variables: 30-day PCs, estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion rate, operative time, time to drainage removal, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Medians and ranges of values for selected variables were reported as descriptive statistics. ResultsInguinal LND was bilateral in all cases, and pelvic LND was required in 40%. Total operative time was 120–170 min and median EBL was 66 (30–100) cc. No blood transfusion was required. No intraoperative complications were noted, and postoperative complications rate was 40% (10% major complications-symptomatic inguinal lymphocele). Median LOS was 5.8 (3–10) days. Median time to inguinal drain removal was 4.7 days. Mean number of lymph nodes removed by inguinal LND: 10.25 (8–14). Limited volume retrospective experience from a referral center with short follow-up. Outcomes reported may not be reproducible by surgeons with less experience and skills. ConclusionsPISA is a novel, minimally invasive single-site surgical approach to one stage bilateral inguinal/pelvic LNDs for penile cancer showing a low rate of major complications.