Morbidity of inguinal lymphadenectomy for invasive penile carcinoma

To determine the incidence and the consequences of complications related to modified and radical inguinal lymphadenectomy in patients with invasive penile carcinoma, defined by invasion of the corpus spongiosum or cavernosum (> or =T2).

A total of 118 modified (67.0%), and 58 radical (33.0%) inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed in 88 patients between 1989 and 2000. To decrease the morbidity, radical inguinal lymphadenectomy was proposed only in patients with palpable inguinal lymph nodes, uni- or bilaterally (N1 or N2). Modified inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed bilaterally in patients with invasive penile carcinoma and non-palpable inguinal lymph nodes (N0), and unilaterally in the side without inguinal metastases in N1 patients. Complications were assessed retrospectively with a median follow-up of 46 months and classified as early (event observed during the 30 days after the procedure) or late (event present after hospitalisation or after the first months).

A total of 74 complications after 176 procedures were recorded. After modified inguinal lymphadenectomy, 8 early (6.8%) and 4 late (3.4%) complications were observed. There were a total of 110 dissections with no complications and 8 dissections with 1 or 2 complications. After radical inguinal lymphadenectomy, the morbidity increased with 24 early (41.4%) and 25 late (43.1%) complications, observed in only 18 of 58 radical procedures. Leg oedema was the most common late complication, interfering with ambulation in 13 cases (22.4%).

Modified inguinal lymphadenectomy, with saphenous vein sparing and limited dissection offers excellent functional outcome in patients with invasive penile carcinoma and nonpalpable inguinal lymph nodes. The morbidity after radical lymphadenectomy still significant, especially in patients with multiple or bilateral superficial inguinal lymph nodes treated by pelvic and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy.