Groin lymphorrhea postoperative nuisance

Lymphorrhea is defined as the flow of lymph from disrupted lymphatic channels that drains externally or is contained within a wound. It complicates approximately 2% of vascular incisions in the groin. Of 116 patients who underwent different arterial reconstructions involving 186 groin wounds, lymphorrhea developed in 4 patients (3.4%) including 4 groins (2.1%). They have been managed in the Division of Vascular Surgery at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) in Riyadh, during a 3-year period ending in February 1996. There were 105 (90.5%) males and 11 (9.5%) females. The ages ranged from 32 to 96 years with a mean age of 63 years. All the 4 cases complicated with lymphorrhea were managed conservatively for a period of three to five weeks. In 2 cases, the lymphatic leak stopped and the patients discharged without other local complications. In the other 2 cases, lymphatic leakage stopped immediately and permanently following direct surgical ligation. The use of isosulphane blue for localization of the site of the lymphatic leak was a simple, reliable and accurate method during wound exploration. Follow-up of all cases for 6 months showed no recurrence, no sepsis and patent vascular graft.