[Complications of inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile carcinoma. Origin, management, and prevention]

Since inguinal lymphadenectomy (LFD) technique in the treatment of epidermoid carcinoma of the penis was first described, control of its high mobility has been one of the concerns for oncological urologists. Our group has reviewed the complications of 21 inguinal LFDs performed since 1982 in our centre and found that two thirds of these procedures had at least one complication, the most frequent being lower limb lymphedema (28.5%) among those appearing late, and healing alterations (38%) together with fluid collections or persistent lymphorrhea (33.3%) among the early ones. Other complications were infection, local recurrence and haemorrhage of the femoral vessels. Most authors agree on the high morbidity of this technique. We highlight the origin, management and prevention of each of these complications so as to reduce their frequency while placing inguinal LFD in its real position within the therapeutic approach of epidermoid carcinoma of the penis.