P.L.E.A.T.-Preventing Lymphocele Ensuring Absorption Transperitoneally: A Robotic Technique.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce the risk of symptomatic lymphocele after robotic pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), we present a technique, preventing lymphocele ensuring absorption transperitoneally (P.L.E.A.T.), where the peritoneum is "pleated" along its midline, leaving 2 lateral openings and allowing lymphatic fluid to drain away from the pelvis and into the abdomen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed a single-surgeon series of PLNDs during robotic radical prostatectomy, comparing 195 "standard" PLNDs (in which the peritoneum was "re-approximated" or left completely open) with 176 cases in which P.L.E.A.T. was performed.

RESULTS: In the group without P.L.E.A.T., 8 cases of symptomatic (grade ≥3, according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification) lymphoceles (4.1%) were recorded. Only 1 patient in the P.L.E.A.T. group complained of symptoms because of a lymphocele (P = .039). No patient reported complications because of the procedure.

CONCLUSION: The P.L.E.A.T. technique is a fast, easy-to-perform, and safe method of reducing the risk of symptomatic lymphocele after transperitoneal robotic PLND.