Objective To compare the clinical effect of laparoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection versus open surgery for penile cancer, and to explore the feasibility of laparoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection.

Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 84 penile cancer patients who underwent inguinal lymph node dissection. Patients were divided into open group and laparoscopic group according to the surgical method of lymph node dissection. The preoperative data, intraoperative parameters, postoperative complications and efficacy of the two groups were analyzed.

Results There was no statistically significant difference in age, clinical tumor stage, lymph node size, the operative time, the number of lymph nodes dissected or intraoperative blood loss between the laparoscopic group and the open group (P > 0.05). But in terms of postoperative hospital stay, skin flap necrosis and postoperative incision infection rate, the incidence of postoperative lymphatic fistula, etc., there was statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Postoperative follow-up was 3 months to 2 years, in which 2 patients in the laparoscopic group recurred, while 3 patients in the open group relapsed, with no death and no statistically significant difference between the both groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy could obtain the same clinical curative effect, but with less trauma and postoperative complications.