ABSTRACT
The indications and techniques of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in stage I non seminomatous germ cell tumours have markedly evolved over the past ten years. A literature review allows noticing that historical radical retroperitoneal dissection has been replaced by more limited techniques, known as nerve sparing and nerve preserving lymph node dissection. Stage I non seminomatous germ cell tumours are classified according to the risk of retroperitoneat lymph node involvement; they constitute three groups: low, intermediate and high risk tumours. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is considered for low risk patients in case of non compliance or difficult follow-up, and for intermediate risk patients (vascular invasion with presence of high percentage of teratomatous component).
