Reducing morbidity of pelvic and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy

Lymphadenectomy is utilized in both pelvic and retroperitoneal oncological surgery as a means to eradicate locoregional disease, improve staging accuracy and guide adjuvant therapy. However, pelvic and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy have the potential for morbidity including lymphatic injury, vascular injury, thromboembolic events and neurologic injury. Across the spectrum of urologic malignancies, the evidence supporting both the necessity and the extent of lymphadenectomy varies considerably. Awareness of the potential for injury and ways to avoid and manage the most common complications is necessary to decrease the morbidity associated with these procedures.