Advantage of urological experience with both transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopy in lymph node biopsy for malignant lymphoma diagnosis.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic urologists are familiar with both transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches. That experience is an advantage when devising a strategy for intra-abdominal lymph node biopsy. We report the feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic biopsy using a urological laparoscopic technique for the treatment of patients with clinically suspected intra-abdominal lymphoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2010 to April 2015, a total of 22 patients underwent laparoscopic biopsy for suspected intra-abdominal lymphoma. We adopted a retroperitoneal approach for paraaortic or paracaval masses, whereas we used a transperitoneal approach for mesenteric, iliac, or obturator masses. Whenever possible, an entire node was removed; otherwise, the biopsy consisted of wedge resection sized at least 1 cm3 .

RESULTS: Biopsy specimens were obtained from the following lymph node sites: 10 paraaortic, 5 paracaval, 3 mesenteric, 2 obturator, 1 common iliac, and 1 perinephric fat. Laparoscopic lymph node biopsy was completed in all patients, and there were no conversions to open surgery. The median operating time was 97 minutes (range, 62-167 minutes). The estimated blood loss was <50 mL in all cases. Postoperatively, one patient (4.5%) had symptomatic chylous lymphocele that required surgical intervention. Precise diagnosis was established for all patients: malignant lymphoma in 20 patients and metastatic urothelial carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin in 1 patient each. All lymphomas could be fully subclassified.

CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate use of the transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach is safe and effective for laparoscopic lymph node biopsy in patients with suspected intra-abdominal lymphoma.