The possible role of the da Vinci robot for patients with vulval carcinoma undergoing inguinal lymph node dissection

Abstract

Inguinal lymph node dissection represents the gold standard of treatment for patients with vulval carcinoma. The application of minimally invasive techniques, such as robotics, in the surgical treatment of gynecologic cancer, reduced the rate of postoperative complications, which has an important impact on the quality of patients' life. Robotic inguinal lymph node dissection is a safe and oncologically effective but expensive and time-consuming approach in patients with penile cancer or melanoma. However, it is related with less postoperative complications, especially less lymphocele or lymphedema rates, and can improve the patients' quality of life while minimizing cost for health systems. The introduction of robot- assisted inguinal lymph node dissection in the treatment of vulval carcinoma may be identified as a provisional option for the gynecologic oncologist. Our intention was to present a brief review/commentary on the possible use of a robot-assisted technique on inguinal lymphadenectomy for patients with vulval cancer.