Single Port Groin Lymph Node Dissection in Penile Cancer

Though penile cancer is an uncommon disease, it can cause significant disfiguration, adverse impact on quality of life, and an inherent high rate of morbidity and mortality. Management of the inguinal lymph nodes is of tantamount importance from a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic perspective. However, traditional open lymph node dissection carries an unacceptably high burden of complications. Operative techniques, such as modified templates, have been successful at reducing the morbidity. Further, minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic or robotic have further reduced major complication rates. Most recently, single port robotic inguinal lymph node dissection has been found to be a feasible option. Here, we describe the literature supporting robotic approach, the reported cases of a single port robotic approach, and our own experience with single-port robotic inguinal lymph node dissection.