OBJECTIVETo summarize our initial experience with laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for treatment of nonseminomatous testicular cancer.

METHODSFrom September 2010 to June 2011, 3 patients (aged 19-27 years) with right testicle enlargement and elevated alpha-fetoprotein level underwent right radical orchidectomy. Histopathological analysis revealed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. LESS-RPLND was performed 3 weeks after orchiectomy. The homemade port was inserted through a 3-cm right pararectal incision in the right lower quadrant for unilateral RPLND using nerve-sparing technique and modified right-sided template removal similar to those in open RPLND.

RESULTSThe operation was successfully performed with a mean operative time of 240 min and a mean estimated blood loss of 50 ml. No conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery was required. No major perioperative complications were observed. For the first case, the number of lymph nodes obtained for final histopathological examination was 11, and two positive nodes were detected. For the other 2 cases, no positive nodes were detected. Chemotherapy was administered in the first case. Alpha-fetoprotein level decreased close to the baseline one week postoperatively and no relapse occurred in these cases 3 month after RPLND. Follow-up at 1 year after the surgery showed good tumor control and preservation of the sexual function.

CONCLUSIONLESS-RPLND is safe and feasible for treatment of nonseminomatous testicular cancer, and the pararectal incision provides an ideal surgical approach with good cosmetic result, but the long-term effect needs to be tested by further large population-based study.