1 Why perform pelvic lymph node dissection? Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) performed during radical prostatectomy (RP) has been recommended for many years by international guidelines, including previous editions of the EAU-EANM-ESTRO-ESUR-ISUP-SIOG guidelines, for staging purposes and a potential oncological benefit. An extended PLND (ePLND) template detects more metastases than a standard template and so is recommended by the guidelines when PLND is deemed necessary.