Morbidity from pelvic lymphadenectomy in staging carcinoma of the prostate

A retrospective review of 150 patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate was done to determine the morbidity associated with lymphadenectomy performed as an independent procedure. A total of 77 complications, 17 of which were considered major, was noted in 50 patients. Wound drainage and transection of the spermatic cord were associated with increased morbidity. Systemic antibiotic therapy afforded no protection against wound infections, while intraoperative irrigation was protective. Lymphoceles and lower extremity edema occurred infrequently in our series, although only a few patients underwent postoperative pelvic irradiation therapy.