OBJECTIVETo assess the effects of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in the treatment of stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to May 2002, laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed on 9 patients with stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer.

RESULTSThe procedure was successful in all patients. The mean operation time was 260 minutes. None of the patients required blood transfusion and had major complications intraoperatively or postoperatively. The average period of hospitalization after the operation was 5.5 days. With a mean following-up of 9 months, retroperitoneal recurrence was not seen.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is feasible for stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer and its procedure is safe, effective and minimally invasive.

Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Germinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Testicular Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult