Robot-assisted pelvic node dissection has similar operative and melanoma outcomes to open pelvic node dissection with shorter hospital stays

Abstract

Background: Robot-assisted pelvic lymph node dissection (rPLND) has been employed for the surgical management of enlarged lymph nodes to reduce treatment related morbidity. With the adoption of adjuvant systemic therapy in melanoma reducing surgical indications, we set out to investigate its benefits and long-term outcomes compared to open pelvic lymph node dissection (oPLND).