Skin excision and groin lymphadenectomy: techniques and outcomes

A 10-year retrospective review of 25 patients undergoing groin lymphadenectomy for cutaneous malignancy in the Tayside region of the UK was conducted. Comparison was made between patients undergoing the procedure with an elliptical incision orientated as a long oblique of at least 4cm width (group 1) and those undergoing a similarly oriented incision with no skin excision (group 2). Outcome measures including survival, postoperative complications, operative time and hospital stay were analyzed. Patients in group I suffered significantly fewer complications (p < 0.004) and shorter hospital stay (p < 0.008). Elliptical excision of at least 4cm width is our preferred technique for groin lymphadenectomy in the treatment of cutaneous malignancy of the lower limb.