[Drainage of a lymphocele after kidney transplantation, using laparoscopy]

The authors report a case of transperitoneal laparoscopic drainage of a recurrent, compressive lymphocele occurring 3 months after cadaver renal transplantation. The technique consists of creating a transperitoneal breach and resecting the walls of the lymphocele to ensure internal drainage followed by suture of a slip of greater omentum over the opened lymphatic cavity. Preoperative aspiration and computed tomography precisely defined the site of the lymphocele in relation to urinary and vascular structures, confirmed the lymphatic nature of the collection and excluded the presence of infection. This technique has the same indications as classical surgical internal drainage and can be used to easily perform the same procedures. Because of its simplicity and low morbidity, laparoscopic drainage can be proposed as first-line treatment for large, symptomatic and recurrent posttransplantation lymphoceles, in the absence of infection and provided the lymphocele is in an accessible site and the operator has a sufficient experience of laparoscopic techniques.