To assess the efficacy, complications and safety of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (LRPLND) for stageⅠ testicular germ cell tumor (GCT) patients.

Seventeen patients with stageⅠnon-seminoma germ cell testicular tumor underwent LRPLND after orchectomy at our institution between April 2009 and May 2015, and the morbidity and oncologic outcome were reviewed retrospectively. The procedure was performed according to the improving template of Innsbruck University on L-RPLND.

All procedures were successfully accomplished. At the early stage, 1 case of procedure was slightly difficult for the peritoneal injury and present as the poor exposure. The average operative time was 220 min (150-310 min), the average intraoperative blood loss was 150 ml (50-260 ml). During the procedure, the lumbar vein injury and hemorrhage occurred in 2 cases, hemostasis was performed successfully under the laparoscope. The recovery of bowel function was 24~48 h. Drainage tube was removed after 4-7 days. No severe postoperative complications were observed. Pathological information indicated that the lymph node positive rate is 11.8% (2/17) and 2 cases with lymph node positive had been given the adjuvant chemotherapy. Fourteen cases were followed up for 6 months and had the normal antograde ejaculation, and the tumor marker, the lungs and retroperitoneal CT were normal.

LRPLND had shown that the surgical safety well and good oncologic outcome, and the patients with less complications and faster recovery, but to require the urologist with good skills.

Lymph node dissection; Non-seminoma germ cell tumor; Retroperitoneal space