Factor associated with postoperative complications of inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer Test

Inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) is the standard of care for palpable, biopsy-proven lymph node metastases or high-risk groups for nonpalpable lymph nodes in the treatment of penile cancer. ILND is associated with a significant incidence of complications and adverse events, specifically wound complications. Few studies have identified risk factors related to postoperative ILND complications.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of 30-day postoperative complications and to identify risk factors associated with postoperative complications of ILND for penile cancer.

This was a retrospective review of medical records for all patients who had ILND for penile cancer between January 2012 and December 2022. According to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification, the 30-day postoperative complications were collected. Using an ordinal univariate logistic regression model and multivariate analysis, potential risk variables for complications were determined.

A total of 60 patients were performed ILND. Sixty percent of the patients had a postoperative complication including wound infection 50%, wound dehiscence 36.7%, skin necrosis 26.6%, lymphocele 33.3%, leg edema 46.7%, and scrotal edema 16.7%. Higher grade of modified Clavien-Dindo classification was associated with body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15; P = 0.03), diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.13; P = 0.04), American Society of Anesthesiologist classification ≥3 (OR = 1.14; P = 0.03), radical ILND (OR = 1.57; P = 0.01), and bilateral ILND (OR = 1.60; P = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, a higher grade of modified Clavien-Dindo classification was correlated with BMI (OR = 1.48; P = 0.01) and bilateral ILND (OR = 4.56; P = 0.01).

ILND is associated with high rates of complication. The severity of the modified Clavien-Dindo classification was associated with BMI and bilateral ILND.