Urologie pro praxi 4/2021

Peritoneal flap fixation: effect on the prevention of lymphocele formation after radical prostatectomy with lymphadenectomy

Radical prostatectomy (RP) with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) is currently a standard of care of intermediate and high-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa). The utilization of ePLND is increasing due to stage migration towards more aggressive cancer. Symptomatic lymphoceles, with incidence ranging up to 10 %, are one of the most frequent complications of ePLND. No successful strategy on how to prevent their occurrence has been found so far. One of the promising interventions could be peritoneal flap fixation during transperitoneal RP. Several retrospective studies have shown a reduction in the incidence of symptomatic lymphocele. The peritoneum can be fixed to the urinary bladder or to the pelvic wall leaving a window in the peritoneum that presents a pathway that directs the lymphatic fluid out of the pelvis into the peritoneal cavity where it can be absorbed. The only randomized trial published so far, however, did not show any benefit. This article aims to present an overview of published clinical studies on the fixation of the peritoneum.

Keywords: prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, complications, lymphocele, peritoneal flap fixation.