Subvenous external iliac lymph node dissection is an essential element for the staging of prostatic cancer. 7 to 30% of patients with intracapsular prostatic cancer have lymph node metastases despite normal imaging examinations. Laparoscopic surgery allows lymph node dissection through a limited incision. Sixteen patients underwent laparoscopic lymph node dissection (LLND) for prostatic cancer. The mean duration of the operation was 100 +/- 50 minutes (35-180 min: 130 minutes for the first nine operations, then 60 minutes for the last seven operations). One patient died on the second day from a cerebral vascular accident. There was one technical failure (pneumoperitoneum leak), one vascular injury, one ureteric injury, one transient paresis of the obturator nerves and one case of perineal lymphoedema. The mean number of lymph nodes removed in bilateral lymph node dissection was 7.5 +/- 2 (14-20) per patient. Three patients had lymph node metastases. The mean hospital stay related to laparoscopy was 4 +/- 2 days with a median of 2 days. Laparoscopic surgery, like any conventional or innovative surgical technique, requires specific training to become safe and effective. It allows complete histological examination of the lymph nodes removed and planning of prostatectomy, which may be subsequently performed through a perineal approach.