Pelvic lymphocysts following retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy: retroperitoneal partial "no-closure" for ovarian and endometrial cancers

Symptomatic Lymphocele After Robot-Assisted Pelvic Lymphadenectomy as Part of the Primary Surgical Treatment for Cervical and Endometrial Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is part of the primary treatment for early-stage cervical cancer and high-intermediate risk or high-risk endometrial cancer. Pelvic lymphocele is a postoperative complication of PLND, and when symptomatic, lymphoceles necessitate treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of symptomatic lymphocele after robot-assisted laparoscopic PLND in cervical and endometrial cancer.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single-center academic hospital.

PATIENTS

Two hundred and fifty-eight patients with cervical cancer and 129 patients with endometrial cancer.

INTERVENTIONS

Pelvic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The authors retrospectively included all patients with early-stage cervical cancer and high-intermediate risk or high-risk endometrial cancer who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery between 2008 and 2022. Medical records were reviewed for the occurrence of a symptomatic lymphocele. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for developing a symptomatic lymphocele. In total, 387 patients, 258 with cervical cancer and 129 with endometrial cancer, were included in the study. The overall incidence of symptomatic lymphoceles was 9.6% with a median follow-up of 47 months [interquartile range 23-61]. For the entire cohort, smoking was the only significant risk factor for symptomatic lymphoceles identified in univariate (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.19-5.11) and multivariate analysis (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.16-5.07). For cervical cancer, body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.17) and prior abdominal surgery (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.22-6.17) were also identified as significant independent risk factors. For endometrial cancer, age was identified as a significant independent risk factor (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83-0.97).

CONCLUSION

This single-center cohort study demonstrated an incidence of almost 10% of symptomatic lymphoceles after robot-assisted laparoscopic PLND for cervical cancer and endometrial cancer, with a higher risk observed among patients who smoke at the time of diagnosis. Furthermore, risk factors differ between the 2 populations, necessitating further studies to establish risk models.

Lymphocele following lymph node dissection in cervical and endometrial cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the proportion and risk factors of lymphoceles and symptomatic lymphoceles after PLND in early-stage cervical and early-stage high or high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Studies reporting on the proportion of lymphocele after PLND were conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. Retrieved studies were screened on title/abstract and full text by two reviewers independently. Quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle Ottowa Scale and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Proportion of lymphocele and possible risk factors were pooled through random-effects meta-analyses.

RESULTS

From the 233 studies retrieved, 24 studies were included. The pooled proportion of lymphocele was 14% and of symptomatic lymphocele was 3%. Routinely performing diagnostics was associated with a significantly higher proportion of lymphocele compared to diagnostics performed on indication (21% versus 4%, p < 0.01). Laparotomic surgical approach led to a significantly higher proportion of lymphoceles than laparoscopic surgical approach (18% versus 7%, p = 0.05). The proportion of lymphocele was significantly higher when >15% of the study population underwent additional paraaortic lymph node dissection (PAOLND) opposed to <15% (15% versus 3%, p < 0.01). A mean number of lymph nodes dissected of <21 resulted in a significantly higher pooled proportion of lymphoceles opposed to when the mean number was 21 or higher (19% versus 5%, p = 0.02). Other risk factors analysed were BMI, lymph node metastasis, adjuvant radiotherapy and follow up. There was no sufficient data to detect significant risk factors for the development of symptomatic lymphoceles.

CONCLUSION

The pooled proportion of lymphocele was 14% of which symptomatic lymphoceles occurred in 3%. Significant risk factors for the total proportion of lymphoceles were laparotomic approach, decreased number of lymph nodes dissected and additional PAOLND.

The Association Between the Number of Retrieved Pelvic Lymph Nodes and Ipsilateral Lower Limb Lymphedema in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer

PURPOSE

While the risk of lower limb lymphedema (LLE) after radical surgery for gynecologic malignancies is multifactorial, the limited assessment of lymph nodes (LNs), such as sentinel LN biopsy, has been incorporated into a standard procedure. We assessed the relationship between the number of LNs retrieved from the hemipelvis and the incidence of ipsilateral LLE (iLLE).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 103 women with gynecologic cancer who had LNs removed with minimally invasive surgery between January 2014 and December 2018. For early detection of LLE, the patients were followed up by a lymphedema specialist who complied with the International Society of Lymphedema criteria. Potential risk factors for LLE were collected, and the risk factors were further investigated according to the number of LNs removed in a side-specific manner.

RESULTS

LLE was diagnosed in 32 (31.1%) patients, and most of them were diagnosed with unilateral (n = 22) LLE rather than bilateral (n = 10). The number of pelvic LNs removed (p = 0.018), no lymphatic mapping (p = 0.034), and radiation (p = 0.020) were associated with the development of one or both LLEs. A side-specific analysis revealed that the incidence of iLLE increased significantly when four or more LNs were removed from the hemipelvis compared with three or fewer LNs (22.9% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of pelvic LNs retrieved was associated with the incidence of LLE in patients with early gynecologic cancer. We identified the cutoff number per hemipelvis through side-specific analysis that could minimize the risk of iLLE. Further studies are needed to validate our results.

Impact of Sentinel Node Mapping in Decreasing the Risk of Lymphocele in Endometrial Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Due to the growing evidence of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in endometrial cancer (EC), our aim was to evaluate the impact of SLN mapping and other clinical-pathological variables in the risk of developing lymphocele.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a series of patients with ECs who underwent lymph node staging with SLN mapping with or without systematic pelvic ± para-aortic lymphadenectomy from November 2012 to January 2020. The lymphocele diagnosis was performed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Of 348 patients included, 178 underwent SLN mapping only and 170 underwent SLN mapping and systematic lymphadenectomy (46.5% pelvic only; 53.5% pelvic and para-aortic). Seventy-three (21%) patients had open surgery and 275 (79%) had a minimally invasive approach. After a median follow-up of 25.4 months, the overall prevalence of lymphocele was 8.6% (n = 30), with 29 cases in a pelvic location. Lymphocele was found in 3.4% (n = 6/178) of patients submitted to SLN mapping only, compared with 14.1% (n = 24/170) among those who underwent SLN with lymphadenectomy (p = 0.009). Among those patients with lymphocele, seven (23.3%) were symptomatic and five (16.6%) required drainage. All symptomatic cases occurred in lymphoceles larger than 4 cm (p = 0.001). Neither resected lymph node count nor the type of systematic lymphadenectomy were related to the presence of lymphocele. Systematic lymphadenectomy was the only factor that emerged as a risk factor for the presence of lymphocele in multivariate analysis (odds ratio 3.68, 95% confidence interval 1.39-9.79; p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that SLN mapping independently decreases the risk of lymphocele formation compared with full lymphadenectomy in EC.

Comparison of Postoperative Benign Pelvic Cysts Occurred after Gynecologic or Gyne-oncologic Surgery Treated with Percutaneous Transcatheteric Sclerosant Alcohol Therapy

Objectives:

Here, we compare the success of percutaneous transcatheter sclerosant alcohol therapy (PTSAT) for the postoperative treatment of benign pelvic cysts that occurred after gynecologic surgery.

Materials and Methods:

The study is a retrospective case–control trial. Gynecological patients who had symptoms due to postoperative pelvic cysts and received PTSAT after gynecologic surgery, between October 2008 and January 2018, were examined in a single training and research hospital in Turkey. Some factors were investigated for associations with postoperative pelvic cyst formation in patients who underwent gynecologic operations for malignancies or benign conditions. Statistical analysis used: The association between two independent and nonnormally distributed continuous variables was analyzed with the Mann–Whitney U-test. Spearman's rho correlation analysis was conducted to determine the correlation of two nonnormally distributed variables. Chi-square (or Fisher's exact test, when more suitable) was used to examine the correlation between categorical variables.

Results:

Statistically significant differences were found in terms of the average age was higher in patients with malignancies, and the average postoperative pelvic cyst detection time was higher in patients with benign pelvic cysts. While all patients were treated with PTSAT, repetitive PTSAT was required for seven benign and ten malign cases.

Conclusion:

Patients with pelvic cysts that occurred after gynecologic surgery for malignant conditions, large volume pelvic cysts and patients with benign cysts who underwent more than one surgery required recurrent PTSAT.

Incidence of and risk factors for lymphocele formation after lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for rectal cancer: a retrospective study

AIM

Pelvic lymphocele is a common complication that develops after pelvic lymph node dissection. The incidence of pelvic lymphocele formation has been reported to be 10.5-51% after gynaecological or urological procedures. However, no evidence has been reported thus far with regard to the development of pelvic lymphocele following lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPND) for low rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for lymphocele formation after LPND for low rectal cancer and to examine its clinical management.

METHOD

We retrospectively analysed the incidence of and risk factors for pelvic lymphocele formation after LPND for rectal cancer in our hospital between January 2012 and December 2017. We also compared the size of the lymphocele between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients by using CT volumetry and examined its clinical management.

RESULTS

A total of 30 out of 98 patients (30.8%) developed pelvic lymphocele after rectal LPND. The number of resected nodes was significantly higher in patients with a pelvic lymphocele (P < 0.01). The median volume was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic pelvic lymphocele (P = 0.011). Among the nine symptomatic patients, two underwent CT-guided drainage, one underwent transurethral ureteral stent placement and one underwent laparoscopic marsupialization.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to keep in mind the possibility of pelvic lymphocele formation during follow-up of patients who undergo LPND, and to consider an appropriate treatment when these patients are symptomatic.

Predictors of Lymphoceles in Women Who Underwent Laparotomic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Early Gynecologic Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Lymphoceles could represent a detrimental complication after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Our aim was to elucidate predictors of lymphoceles. Methods: Between 2011 and 2017, medical records of consecutive women who underwent laparotomic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for FIGO stage I or II gynecologic cancer were reviewed. Results: A total of 204 women, including those with lymphoceles (n = 31) and symptomatic lymphoceles (n = 7), were reviewed. According to multivariable analysis, parity (odds ratio = 0.59, p = 0.003), adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy (odds ratio = 2.60, p = 0.039), and peritoneal nonclosure without pelvic drainage (odds ratio = 2.31, p = 0.048) were predictors of lymphoceles. In addition, parity (odds ratio = 0.73, p = 0.03), hypertension (odds ratio = 2.62, p = 0.02), and peritoneal partial closure with pelvic drainage (odds ratio = 0.27, p = 0.02) were predictors of complications. Conclusion: Low parity, adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy, and peritoneal nonclosure without pelvic drainage were associated with increased lymphocele formation. In addition, a lower complication rate was found in the peritoneal partial closure with pelvic drainage group; thus, peritoneal partial closure with pelvic drainage might be suggested for women who undergo laparotomic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

Nomogram predicting risk of lymphocele in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing pelvic lymph node dissection

Objective

The purpose of this study is to estimate the risk of postoperative lymphocele development after lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancer patients through establishing a nomogram.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 371 consecutive gynecologic cancer patients undergoing lymphadenectomy between 2009 and 2014. Association of the development of postoperative lymphocele with clinical characteristics was evaluated in univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Nomograms were built based on the data of multivariate analysis using R-software.

Results

Mean age at the operation was 50.8±11.1 years. Postoperative lymphocele was found in 70 (18.9%) patients. Of them, 22 (31.4%) had complicated one. Multivariate analysis revealed that hypertension (hazard ratio [HR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 6.0; P=0.003), open surgery (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 7.1; P=0.004), retrieved lymph nodes (LNs) >21 (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.3; P=0.042), and no use of intermittent pneumatic compression (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to 7.2; P=0.047) were independent risk factors for the development of postoperative lymphocele. The nomogram appeared to be accurate and predicted the lymphocele development better than chance (concordance index, 0.754). For complicated lymphoceles, most variables which have shown significant association with general lymphocele lost the statistical significance, except hypertension (P=0.011) and mean number of retrieved LNs (29.5 vs. 21.1; P=0.001). A nomogram for complicated lymphocele showed similar predictive accuracy (concordance index, 0.727).

Conclusion

We developed a nomogram to predict the risk of lymphocele in gynecologic cancer patients on the basis of readily obtained clinical variables. External validation of this nomogram in different group of patients is needed.

Prevention of lymphocele by using gelatin-thrombin matrix as a tissue sealant after pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecologic cancers: a prospective randomized controlled study

Objective

This prospective randomized controlled pilot study aimed to find whether gelatin-thrombin matrix used as a tissue sealant (FloSeal) can prevent the occurrence of pelvic lymphocele in patients with gynecologic cancer who has undergone pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Methods

Each patient, who undergo a laparotomic pelvic lymph node dissection on both sides, was randomly assigned for FloSeal application on 1 side of the pelvis. The other side of the pelvis without any product application being the control side. The amount of lymph drainage at each side of the pelvis was measured for 3 days, and computed tomography scans were obtained 7 days and 6 months after surgery for detection of pelvic lymphocele.

Results

Among 37 cases, the median amount of lymph drainage was significantly decreased in the hemi-pelvis treated with FloSeal compared to the control hemi-pelvis (p=0.025). The occurrence of lymphocele was considerably reduced in treated hemi-pelvis (8/37, 21.6%) compared with control hemi-pelvis (12/37, 32.4%) after 7 post-operative days (p=0.219), and more decreased in the treated hemi-pelvis (5/37, 13.5%) compared with control hemi-pelvis (9/37, 24.3%) after postoperative 6 months (p=0.344).

Conclusion

The application of FloSeal as a tissue sealant in lymph nodes resected tissues can reduce the incidence of pelvic lymphocele in gynecologic cancer patients. A large randomized controlled study could confirm these preliminary results.

Optimal timing for drainage of infected lymphocysts after lymphadenectomy for gynecologic cancer

BACKGROUND

A lymphocyst (lymphocele) is a common complication of lymphadenectomy, which is a widely used surgical method for gynecologic cancers. In cases of infected lymphocysts, therapeutic strategies, including the timing and duration of antibiotics administration and cyst drainage, may vary depending on the physician. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal timing for drainage of lymphocysts infected with bacteria resistant to antibiotic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data for 1175 patients who underwent a lymphadenectomy as part of surgery for a gynecologic malignancy between April 2000 and August 2012 at Osaka University Hospital, Osaka, Japan, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 282 patients who developed a lymphocyst (24%), 35 with infected lymphocysts (12%) were analyzed. Lymphocyst infection was not associated with tumor origin, type of hysterectomy, or region of lymphadenectomy (P = 0.81, P = 0.59, and P = 0.86, respectively). The total treatment period of cases treated only with antibiotics tended to be shorter than that of cases treated with combined antibiotics and drainage, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.061). However, for severe cases which needed drainage, initiating the drainage by day 5 significantly shortened the total treatment period compared with cases started on or after day 6 (P = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

The appropriate time point for initiating lymphocyst drainage has been difficult to determine. The present study implies that for severe lymphocyst infections, where drainage is required in addition to antibiotics, the earlier the drainage is performed, the shorter the treatment period is. Further studies may be required to decide other optimal treatment strategies for infected lymphocysts.

[Morbidity of pelvic lymphadenectomy and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the complication rate of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the management of endometrial cancer following the changes to the recommendations of INCa 2010. This is a retrospective study of 208 patients operated for endometrial cancer between July 2010 and March 2014 in two referral centers. Eighty lymphadenectomy were performed, 65 with hysterectomy and bilateral annexectomy and 18 lymphadenectomy were performed for restaging. Complications assessment is based on the Dindo Clavien classification. We report 17 severe complications (grade 3a and over) (P<0.001), including 14 among patients receiving lymphadenectomy. Morbidity increases with the number of lymphnodes removed and their positivity (P<0.001). The para-aortic lymphadenectomy is primarily responsible for complications (P <0.001). We describe 7 lower limbs lymphedema, 12 nerve injuries, 8 ileus, 5 venous or arterial thromboembolism, 17 blood transfusions, 13 lymphoceles including 9 infected. The rate of intraoperative complications on a first lymphadenectomy is 8% while it reached 22% for restaging. Restaging is significantly more at risk of serious complications (P=0.03) with two deaths. Twenty-four chronic disorders with impaired quality of life (2 without lymphadenectomy) are reported. They are present in 50% of restaging (P=0.033 compared to first lymphadenectomy). Lymphadenectomy is a source of severe morbidity (17.5%) with 2.5% mortality. The benefit of this surgery should probably be discussed again.

Prevention of lymphoceles using FloSeal and CoSeal after laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecologic malignancies

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic ± para-aortic lymphadenectomy (LAE) is an essential element of staging and treatment of different gynecologic malignancies. However, LAE can induce asymptomatic and symptomatic pelvic lymphoceles (LCs) in a considerable percentage of patients. Therapy of symptomatic LCs may cause additional morbidity. The best strategy to reduce the rate of LCs has not established yet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2011 and May 2012, transperitoneal laparoscopic pelvic ± para-aortic LAE was performed at the Department of Gynecology at Charité University Hospital Berlin in 238 patients with cervical, endometrial, ovarian, or groin-positive vulvar cancer. The application of FloSeal (Baxter, Deerfield, IL) and CoSeal (Baxter) was used in 25 patients (group A) as an alternative to routine pelvic drainage after LAE. A case-control comparison was performed on 25 patients (group B) with bilateral drainage after complete LAE. The primary objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the method. As a secondary objective, we evaluated the incidence of LCs and symptomatic LCs in both groups. The detection of LCs was performed during oncologic follow-up by sonography, computed tomographic imaging, or magnetic resonance imaging.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Pelvic (n = 50) or pelvic + para-aortic (n = 42) LAE was performed in 44 patients with cervical, 2 with endometrial, 1 with ovarian, and 2 with groin-positive vulvar cancer, respectively. In group B (n = 25), systematic bilateral pelvic drainage was placed after finishing LAE, whereas in group A (n = 25) LAE areas were sealed with 5 mL FloSeal on each side and sprayed with CoSeal afterward without placing drains. In 14 of 50 patients (28%), LCs were detected. In a subgroup of patients with cervical cancer (88% of the cohort), symptomatic LCs occurred in 11% in group A and 18% in group B. Operative revision of symptomatic LCs was necessary in 5% and 18% in groups A and B, respectively (p = .66). Mean Hospital stay was significant shorter in group A (6 days) versus B (8 days) (p = .027).

CONCLUSION

The results of this case-controlled pilot study indicate that the application of FloSeal and CoSeal after transperitoneal LAE is feasible and safe, may reduce hospital stay, and may potentially decrease the rate of symptomatic LCs in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

Synthetic cyanoacrylic glue in the prevention of post-operative lymphocele after pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with uterine malignancies: A prospective, single-blind, preliminary study

OBJECTIVES

Lymphoceles are among the most common post-operative complications of pelvic lymphadenectomy, with a reported incidence of 1% to 29% in gynecology oncology. Several studies evaluated the effectiveness of biological glues on reducing lymphoceles, but no data on gynecological patients are available. We evaluated the effectiveness of cyanoacrylic glues (n-butyl cyanoacrylate) (Glubran 2 - GEM s.r.l., Italy) in preventing lymphocele on 30 patients who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy for endometrial or cervical cancer.

METHODS

Single-blind prospective randomized study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: pelvic lymphadenectomy plus n-butyl cyanoacrylate (treatment group: 44 patients) and pelvic lymphadenectomy without n-butyl cyanoacrylate (control group: 44 patients). Primary endpoint was incidence of pelvic lymphocele in the two groups 30 days after surgery, and evaluated with pelvic ultrasound and RMI examination. Secondary endpoints evaluated drainage volume of lymphorrhea 36, 48, 72 and 96 h after surgery.

RESULTS

15% in the treatment group and 36.6% in the control group had lymphocele 1month after the procedure (p<0.03; RR 0.4 [95% CI 0.152-0.999]). Concerning the secondary outcome in group A the amount of lymphorrhea presented a constant significant decrease during evaluation; on the contrary, in group B, after an initial decrease at 48 h, the amount of lymphorrhea remained unchanged; at all considered times the amount of lymphorrhea resulted significantly greater in controls.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative application of n-butyl cyanoacrylate seems to reduce lymph production after pelvic lymphadenectomy, providing a useful additional treatment option for reducing drainage volume and preventing lymphocele development after pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Complications of lymphadenectomy for gynecologic cancer

INTRODUCTION

Symptomatic postoperative lymphocysts (SPOLs) and lower-limb lymphedema (LLL) are probably underestimated complications of lymphadenectomy for gynecologic malignancies. Here, our objective was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of SPOLs and LLL after pelvic and/or aortocaval lymphadenectomy for gynecologic malignancies.

METHODS

Single-center retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent pelvic and/or aortocaval lymphadenectomy for ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, or cervical cancer between January 2007 and November 2008. The incidences of SPOL and LLL were computed with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for SPOL and LLL.

RESULTS

We identified 88 patients including 36 with ovarian cancer, 35 with endometrial cancer, and 17 with cervical cancer. The overall incidence of SPOL was 34.5% (95%CI, 25-45) and that of LLL was 11.4% (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 5-18). Endometrial cancer was independently associated with a lower risk of SPOL (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.09; 95%CI, 0.02-0.44) and one or more positive pelvic nodes with a higher risk of SPOL (aOR, 4.4; 95%CI, 1.2-16.3). Multivariate logistic regression failed to identify factors significantly associated with LLL.

CONCLUSION

Complications of lymphadenectomy for gynecologic malignancies are common. This finding supports a more restrictive use of lymphadenectomy or the use of less invasive techniques such as sentinel node biopsy.

Lymphoceles, lymphorrhea, and lymphedema after laparoscopic and open endometrial cancer staging

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence of lymphoceles, lymphorrhea, and lymphedema after systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients who underwent laparoscopic or open abdominal staging for endometrial cancer.

METHODS

A total of 138 consecutive women who underwent systematic laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer staging were compared to 123 historical control subjects staged via an open approach. Postoperative screening for lymphadenectomy-related complications by ultrasound was consistently performed.

RESULTS

The incidence of perioperative complications was lower in cases than in control subjects. Overall, lymphoceles were diagnosed in 19 (15.4%) and 2 (1.4%) patients who had open and laparoscopic staging, respectively (odds ratio 12.42; 95% confidence interval 2.82-54.55; P < 0.0001). Symptomatic lymphoceles were more frequent after open staging than after laparoscopy (P = 0.028). Lymphorrhea occurred in 1 and 4 patients after laparoscopic and open surgery (P = 0.19). No difference in the incidence of lymphedema was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that laparoscopic endometrial cancer staging is associated with a lower occurrence of both asymptomatic and symptomatic lymphoceles compared to open surgery.

[Prevention of lymphoceles and gynaecologic cancers]

Lymphoceles are the most frequent complications following systematic lymphadenectomy in gynaecologic cancers. Some of them may have clinical significance with high morbidity. Through a review of literature, we describe surgical methods (way of surgery, lymphadenectomy type, sentinel lymph node, peritonization, drainages, lymphostasis, surgical patch) and medical methods (somatostatin analogs and nutrition treatment) which could prevent lymphoceles formation after pelvic and lumboaortic lymphadenectomy.

Development of late, symptomatic abdominopelvic lymphoceles more than 10 years following pediatric reconstructive urologic procedures

PURPOSE

Rare reports of symptomatic abdominopelvic lymphoceles following pediatric genitourinary reconstruction do exist; however there are no data regarding the development or management of late symptomatic lymphoceles. We report on the clinical presentation of these lymphoceles 10 or more years following initial urologic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed 480 patients following major intra-abdominal urologic reconstructive procedures from 1986 to 2009 for development of late, symptomatic abdominopelvic lymphoceles. A minimum of 10 years post-surgical follow up was required for inclusion.

RESULTS

Late symptomatic lymphoceles developed in 4/480 (0.8%) patients. Median length of follow up post reconstruction was 13.5 years (range 10-17). Median time to lymphocele development was 12 years (range 8-16). Symptoms at presentation included abdominal distension (4/4, 100%), nausea and vomiting (3/4, 75%), flank pain/progressive hydroureteronephrosis (3/4, 75%), and obstructive pyelonephritis (1/4, 25%). Additional surgical procedures that may have contributed to lymphocele development were present in 100%. 75% (3/4) of the patients underwent open surgical drainage, with one electing observation for intermittent symptoms. Exploration revealed loculated fluid collections between bowel loops and dense adhesions; symptoms resolved although small asymptomatic recurrences developed in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Late, symptomatic abdominopelvic lymphoceles following major pediatric urinary tract reconstruction or diversion develop in <1% patients. Many undergo subsequent abdominopelvic surgery, which may contribute to development of these late, pathologic lymphoceles. Open surgical drainage is usually required with excellent outcome.

Radiotherapy negates the effect of retroperitoneal nonclosure for prevention of lymphedema of the legs following pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecological malignancies: an analysis from a questionnaire survey

Using patient questionnaires, we studied the long-term effect of leaving the peritoneum open on the incidence of lymphedema of the legs in patients following pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecological malignancies. The patients were retrospectively assigned to one of two groups, depending on whether the retroperitoneum was closed or left open at surgery. Three years after surgery, we obtained valid questionnaire responses from 101 patients (43 cervical, 46 endometrial, and 12 ovarian cancers) in the closure group and 83 patients (34 cervical, 40 endometrial, and 9 ovarian cancers) in the nonclosure group. In patients' self-analysis, the overall incidence of lymphedema of the legs was significantly lower in the nonclosure group than in the closure group (25.3% and 50.5%, respectively; P < 0.01). The incidence of lymphedema of the legs was significantly increased by postoperative radiotherapy. Especially in the nonclosure group, the incidence of lymphedema was only 15.8% in patients who did not have radiotherapy, but it increased significantly (44.4%) (P < 0.05) when patients underwent radiotherapy. In conclusion, this questionnaire survey suggested that leaving the retroperitoneum open after lymphadenectomy is significantly effective in reducing the incidence of leg lymphedema, which impairs patients' quality of life more than expected by physicians.

Effect of simple omentoplasty and omentopexy in the prevention of complications after pelvic lymphadenectomy

This multicenter collaborative study prospectively evaluated the effect of omentoplasty and omentopexy on the prevention of complications after pelvic lymphadenectomy. Sixty-four consecutive patients (42 cervical and 22 endometrial cancer) were enrolled and examined periodically for 12 months. All patients underwent simple, semiradical, or Okabayashi's radical hysterectomy and complete pelvic lymphadenectomy. The infracolic omentum was longitudinally divided in half and omentoplasty was performed so that bilateral omental flaps would reach the pelvic floor. The omental flaps were inserted into the retroperitoneal space and the edges of the flaps were sutured to the psoas muscle. The omental flap was then covered by the peritoneum. Incidence of lymphocele, lymphedema, and severe complications associated with lymphocele, such as infection or urinary stenosis, was evaluated at intervals for at least one year after surgery. Among the 64 patients, 12 patients received pelvic radiation because of occult lymph node metastasis. Planned omentoplasty was not possible in one patient because her omentum was too small; therefore, only unilateral omentopexy was performed. Asymptomatic lymphoceles only were detected by ultrasonogram in 12 patients (18.8%). Three patients (4.7%) had a symptomatic but pressure-only lymphocele. Hydronephrosis and bladder compression probably due to lymphocele were observed in one patient, respectively (3.1%), but resolved within 6 months. Lymphedema was observed in seven patients (10.9%) and persisted for more than 6 months in two patients (3.1%). We conclude that this simple technique of omentoplasty and omentopexy appeared to be effective in reducing the incidence of complications after pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Fibrin application for preventing lymphocysts after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecologic malignancies

OBJECTIVE

We performed a randomized, prospective trial to assess the impact of fibrin glue on the incidence of lymphocysts after systematic pelvic or pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

METHODS

Ninety-three consecutive patients with gynecologic pelvic malignancies who underwent surgery including pelvic or pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy were randomized during surgery to be treated with fibrin glue or not. Serial computed tomography (CT) scans were performed during follow-up. CT findings of a smooth and thin-walled cavity filled with a water-equivalent fluid, sharply demarcated from its surroundings and without signs of infiltration were interpreted as lymphocysts.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (51%) were treated with fibrin glue and 46 (49%) were not. All 93 patients underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy; 15 patients (32%) of the fibrin group and 12 (26%) of the controls also underwent paraaortic lymphadenectomy. We found no significant differences between patients who received fibrin glue and those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative application of fibrin glue did not reduce the rate of postoperative lymphocysts after lymphadenectomy and had no impact on any follow-up parameter. Its use seems not to be indicated in systematic gynecologic pelvic or pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy.