Groin dissection in malignant melanoma

A total of 205 patients who underwent groin dissection for malignant melanoma were reviewed to document complications and survival rates. Wound complications included skin-edge necrosis in 8 per cent, wound infection in 16 per cent, lymphocele in 5 per cent and lymphorrhoea in 11 per cent. Lymphoedema of the operated leg below the knee was noted in 40 per cent, but all patients had localized oedema of the anteromedial thigh. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 43 and 35 per cent respectively when only the inguinal nodes were involved; they were 34 and 21 per cent with involvement of both the inguinal and deep nodes. The 10-year survival rate for these two groups was 39 and 25 per cent respectively, which suggests that a thorough, complete dissection of the deep nodes is worth-while when the inguinal nodes are palpably positive.