Morbidity following groin dissection for penile carcinoma

From 1962 to 1990, 231 inguinal and 174 ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomies were performed on 234 patients with penile carcinoma. The morbidity of inguinal lymphadenectomy included wound infection in 18%, skin edge necrosis in 61%, seroma formation in 5% of dissections, and lymphoedema in 25% of limbs. The morbidity of ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy included wound infection in 14%, skin edge necrosis in 64%, seroma formation in 9% of dissections, and lymphoedema in 29% of limbs. Pre-operative radiation to the groin significantly increased the healing complications. The routine use of a myocutaneous flap for primary reconstruction of the groin following ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy resulted in 100% primary wound healing and significantly reduced the post-operative hospital stay to a mean of 10 days.