Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is a long and difficult surgery usually performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Raghunath will either perform it by open method or laparoscopic depending on your medical fitness. He will try to conduct a nerve-sparing procedure, which may save you from side effects like retrograde ejaculation in men. Depending on the cancer spread, doctor will remove the retroperitoneal lymph nodes on the same side of the abdomen as the tumour or on both sides of the abdomen. The surgeon places a small drain and closes the cut with stitches or staples. A drainage bag is attached to the end of the tube to collect fluid draining from the area. This will be kept for a few days until there is little or no drainage.