Is RPLND a major surgery?

A post-chemotherapy RPLND is an extremely challenging surgery. Chemotherapy can cause lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum to fuse to important surrounding structures including the aorta, vena cava, intestines and kidneys.

How long is RPLND surgery?

About your RPLND surgery During your surgery, your surgeon will make an incision (surgical cut) from the bottom of your ribcage to your pubic area. They’ll remove your lymph nodes through this incision. Your surgery will take 3½ to 5 hours.

Is RPLND surgery painful?

Postoperative Pain: Pain at the incision site is common, but is generally well controlled by intravenous pain medication, a patient controlled anesthesia pump or oral pain medication. Nausea: Nausea is common following any surgery, especially related to general anesthesia.

When is RPLND done?

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is a long procedure, typically done under general anesthesia, that is used to both stage cancer and stop the spread of cancer in the body. During the surgery, the doctor removes lymph nodes in the abdomen.

What happens after RPLND surgery?

The postoperative care mainly occurs in the immediate postoperative setting, in other words, in the first 5-7 days after surgery. In standard open RPLND, the patient’s bowels usually take a few days to recover, and during this time, the patient is restricted from any oral intake.

How many lymph nodes are removed during RPLND?

Conclusion. Our results suggest that >40 lymph nodes removed at RPLND improves the diagnostic efficacy of the operation. These results will be useful for future trials comparing RPLND, especially when assessing the adequacy of lymph node dissection.

How is RPLND done?

Overview. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, commonly referred to as RPLND, is a procedure to remove abdominal lymph nodes to treat testicular cancer, as well as help establish its exact stage. It is usually performed using an incision that extends from just below the breastbone (sternum) to just below the navel.

What does RPLND stand for?

A retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is surgery to remove the lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen (retroperitoneum). The lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen are called retroperitoneal lymph nodes. An RPLND is also called a retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy.