[Lymphatic cysts arising after extended surgery for cervical and endometrial tumors]

Retroperitoneal lymphatic cysts account for 10.0-15.0% of complications of extended hysterectomy for tumors of the cervix uteri and endometrium. The data on 1,093 cases treated at the Institute Clinic in 1980-1994 have been analyzed to establish retroperitoneal lymphatic cyst frequency, factors of its development, criteria of diagnosis and procedures of therapy and prevention. Age over 50 years, low differentiation of tumor cells, deep invasion and considerable local extent of tumor have been identified as factors of risk for lymphatic dissemination. Ultrasonic examination proved the most effective diagnostic procedure with a credibility of 85.5%. Depending on cyst size and condition of adjacent organs, treatment of postsurgical lymphatic cysts may be palliative or radical. In the present study, surgery was used in 28.8% of cases. Frequency of complications can be lowered by timely detection of early forms of cancer of the cervix uteri and endometrium which do not require lymphadenectomy.