The 'packing of the groin' technique: an innovative approach for groin lymphocele

Groin lymphocele is a serious complication of vascular and cardiac surgery as well as of interventional procedures that cannulate the femoral vessels, whose treatment lacks standardization because of high risk of failure. The aim of the technique we describe is the sealing of open lymphatic channels thanks to prolonged external compression of the groin by application of prolene or silk stitches tied upon plastic pledgets. We have used our technique, called 'packing of the groin', as first treatment in 10 patients affected by lymphocele of the groin: nine patients had complete resolution of the lymph leakage, followed by normal healing of the wound whereas one patient had infective complication with treatment failure. Our technique is simple and safe with appreciable results in terms of success and it does not require immobilization with positive effects on patient's management.