[Prevention of complications in inguinal lymphadenectomy]

Inguinal lymphadenectomy, as indicated in the treatment of metastases of carcinoma of the penis and of malignant melanoma in the inguinal lymph nodes, involves considerable mortality and morbidity. From February, 1988, to January, 1990, we performed 15 inguinal lymphadenectomies in 10 patients with an average age 51.9 +/- 5.3 years. The technique used combined a transverse incision parallel to the inguinal fold, complete inguinal lymphadenectomy, transposition of the sartorius muscle and vaporization of a film of fibrin glue. The last 2 operations, besides the effectives protection of the femoral pedicle, aim at suppressing dead spaces that may produce hematomas, subcutaneous infection or lymphoceles, and at avoiding the insertion of an aspiration drain, which causes persistent lymphorrhea. Out of the 15 cases of lymphadenectomy, 5 presented with a small- (48 ml in average) or medium-volume (200 ml) lymphocele, which was treated by a simple evacuating puncture. No necrosis of the skin edges, subcutaneous infection or lymphorrhea were observed. These results are encouraging, since our patients can rapidly resume their social life and have an acceptable quality of survival.