The role of an extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) remains controversial. An ePLND is the most accurate staging method to assess the presence of lymph node metastases. Lymph node involvement is associated with a significantly worse prognosis and may require immediate or delayed adjuvant therapy. However, an ePLND is associated with an increased risk of complications such as lymphoceles, thromboses and lymphedema, and prolongs surgery and patient recovery. Thus, the diagnostic advantage of PLND should be weighed against the potential morbidity.
The therapeutic value of an ePLND remains especially unclear in PCa patients with an estimated risk of lymph node invasion (LNI) ≤ 20%, where only a minority of patients will have nodes harbouring metastases. Prospective trials to address this issue are still lacking.
