Laparoscopic Staging Pelvic Lymphadenectomy for Prostate Cancer

Abstract

While laparoscopic techniques in urology have developed at a slower pace than in other surgical disciplines, it is interesting to note that the initial description of endoscopic inspection of the peritoneal cavity in 1901 by Kelling made use of a Nitze cystoscope; therefore, the earliest reports of laparbscopy used urologic instruments [1]. However, the true pioneering efforts in the field of laparoscopy must be credited to the gynecologists [2]. Recently, the application of laparoscopic techniques for cholecystectomy by the general surgeon has greatly facilitated the widespread use of laparoscopy [3]. Until recently, the major applications for laparoscopy in urology were evaluation of the undescended testis and occasional biopsy of an abdominal or pelvic mass [4,5]. However, with laparoscopic training now being instituted into most surgical training programs and widespread accessibility to laparoscopic training courses, the number of reported laparoscopic urologic procedures has increased (Table 23–1).