Lymphocele after pelvic lymphadenectomy for urologic cancer

Risk of complications and urinary incontinence following cytoreductive prostatectomy: a multi-institutional study

Emerging evidence has suggested that cytoreductive prostatectomy (CRP) allows superior oncologic control when compared to current standard of care androgen deprivation therapy alone. However, the safety and benefit of cytoreduction in metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has not been proven. Therefore, we evaluated the incidence of complications following CRP in men newly diagnosed with mPCa. A total of 68 patients who underwent CRP from 2006 to 2014 at four tertiary surgical centers were compared to 598 men who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). Urinary incontinence was defined as the use of any pad. CRP had longer operative times (200 min vs 140 min, P < 0.0001) and higher estimated blood loss (250 ml vs 125 ml, P < 0.0001) compared to the control group. However, both overall (8.82% vs 5.85%) and major complication rates (4.41% vs 2.17%) were comparable between the two groups. Importantly, urinary incontinence rate at 1-year after surgery was significantly higher in the CRP group (57.4% vs 90.8%, P < 0.0001). Univariate logistic analysis showed that the estimated blood loss was the only independent predictor of perioperative complications both in the unadjusted model (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02–1.37; P = 0.025) and surgery type-adjusted model (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01–1.36; P = 0.034). In conclusion, CRP is more challenging than radical prostatectomy and associated with a notably higher incidence of urinary incontinence. Nevertheless, CRP is a technically feasible and safe surgery for selecting PCa patients who present with node-positive or bony metastasis when performed by experienced surgeons. A prospective, multi-institutional clinical trial is currently underway to verify this concept.

Unusual lymphocele following radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder

A 65-year-old male patient, a known case of carcinoma bladder, underwent radical cystectomy with ileal neobladder in 2016. Eleven lymph nodes were identified in the specimen. Histopathology revealed reactive lymphadenitis with sinus histiocytosis. The patient presented with a swelling in the right thigh, associated with dull pain, about 6 months after the procedure. Ultrasound of the right thigh and computed tomography of the region showed an isolated, large, loculated, cystic collection measuring 15 cm × 6 cm with internal septation in the pectineus and adductor longus muscles. Complete aspiration of fluid from the right thigh was done with ultrasound guidance and sent for analysis. The fluid appeared to be lymph, and the lesion turned out to be a lymphocele. There was no recurrence or infection following the aspiration till last follow-up visit. We report this rare lymphocele presentation (in the thigh without any extension from pelvis or groin) after 6 months, following radical cystectomy with neobladder, which was treated by one-time aspiration.

Post-prostatectomy Lymphocoele Presenting With Renal Failure

Since its advent in 2001, robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy has become the gold standard treatment for the management of localized prostate cancer. Pelvic lymphocoele is most commonly found after gynecological or renal transplant surgery or following extensive pelvic lymphadenectomy. Its formation following prostatectomy is not uncommon¹ but it seldom causes major complications or morbidity.² We present a case of a 66-year-old man who presented with left-sided abdominal pain, a palpable infra-umbilical mass, and renal failure. He was initially presumed to have high pressure chronic retention however catheterization did not result in any improvement in his renal function. Further investigations revealed a large lymphocoele causing bilateral ureteric obstruction with resultant hydronephrosis.

Lymphadenectomy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer and Upper Tract Urothelial Cell Carcinoma

There are currently no reported randomized trials that characterize the staging or therapeutic benefit of performing a lymph node dissection in either bladder cancer or upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Several unanswered questions remain in this domain focused on the indications and patient selection for pelvic lymph node dissection, extent of dissection, its impact on outcome, and potential risks. However, the results of observational studies suggest that the burden of metastasis is high in both diseases when muscle invasive and performing a lymphadenectomy can provide prognostic information and yield therapeutic benefit.

Evaluation of Lymphorrhea and Incidence of Lymphoceles: 4DryField® PH in Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

Purpose. To investigate impact of polysaccharide hemostat 4DryField PH (4DF) applied on lymph node dissection area after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) on lymphorrhea and lymphocele (LC) formation. Methods. 104 consecutive patients underwent RRP, 51 without 4DF treatment (CT-group) and 53 with 4DF treatment (4DF-group). Groups were comparable (age, risk profile, and lymph node numbers). Postoperative drain loss (PDL) and development of early and late LC were analyzed (mean follow-up at 7 months: 100%). Results. PDL was 452.5 ± 634.2 mL without and 308.5 ± 214 mL with 4DF treatment. PDL > 1000 mL only occurred in CT-group (5/51). Overall, 45 LC (26 in CT- versus 19 in the 4DF-group) were diagnosed. At day 8, LC were equally distributed between groups. Incidence of late LC, however, was twice in controls (16/51) versus 4DF-patients (8/53). Symptomatic LC (4 in untreated patients, 2 in 4DF-patients) were treated with percutaneous drainage (duration: 45 days in untreated patients versus 12 days in 4DF-patients). Conclusion. Application of 4DF on lymph node dissection areas lessened total drain loss and significantly lowered high volume drain loss. Furthermore, 4DF reduced frequency of late lymphoceles and lymphoceles requiring treatment by half, as well as duration of percutaneous drainage by more than two-thirds.

What Are the Risk Factors for Lymphocyst Formation Apart From Lymphnode Dissection and Lymphnode Count in Gynecologic Malignancy?

Aim: Lymphocyst is one of the most common complications of lymphadenectomy and generally encountered during uro-gynecological oncology surgeries. We aimed to define the risk factors for formation of a lymphocyst in patients with various gynecological cancer types in whom a lymphadenectomy was performed. Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 206 patients. Of the 206 patients, 100 were diagnosed with a lymphocyst, and 106 were assigned to a control group. Laboratory findings and surgical characteristics of the patients were compared. Results: No differences were observed in age, pre-operative hemoglobin; platelet, white blood cell, and lymphocyte counts; or pre-operative albumin level (p = 0.315, 0.500, 0.525, 0.683, 0.740, and 0.97, respectively). A significant effect of the heparin dose × heparin days interaction and lymphocyst formation was observed (p = 0.002). Lymphocysts were most frequently detected in the ovarian cancer subgroup (49 %). Significant differences were detected between the groups in the percentages of patients who underwent CT only and RT only treatments (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). The logistic regression analysis revealed a relationship between the LMWH dose × days interaction and formation of a lymphocyst (OR, 1.10; 95 % CI, 1.0-1.13; p = 0.01). Conclusion: The association between total LMWH dose administered and the formation of lymphocysts in patients with gynecological pelvic cancer was investigated for the first time. Significant relationship between heparin dose × days and lymphocyst formation was found. Although anticoagulation with LMWH is essential for preventing thromboembolism, it should be used appropriately to prevent other complications, such as bleeding and lymphocysts.

POVIDONE-IODINE INSTILLATION FOR MANAGEMENT OF PELVIC LYMPHOCELE AFTER PELVIC LYMPHADENECTOMY FOR STAGING PROSTATE CANCER

The development of postoperative lymphoceles following pelvic lymph node dissection is a rare complication. It is a well-described complication of kidney transplantation. A patient who developed a symptomatic pelvic lymphocele after pelvic lymph node dissection for staging prostatic cancer was treated with percutaneous tube drainage, but the treatment was in vain. Successful treatment was accomplished with povidone-iodine instillation into the lymphocele. This simple, safe, and painless method for lymphocele treatment is recommended.

Changing Patterns of Pelvic Lymphadenectomy for Prostate Cancer: Results From CaPSURE™

PURPOSE

Widespread screening for prostate cancer in the United States has resulted in earlier tumor identification at lower stages. The fewer number of men with lymph node metastases at initial presentation has altered patterns of pelvic lymphadenectomy before definitive treatment. We characterized patterns of pelvic lymphadenectomy in conjunction with radical prostatectomy in a community based cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the CaPSURE database we identified men undergoing radical prostatectomy. Patients were stratified into 3 clinical risk groups based on serum prostate specific antigen, T stage and pathological grade. We examined temporal trends of pelvic lymphadenectomy and predictors of pelvic lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

From 1992 to 2004 the proportion of men undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy in conjunction with radical prostatectomy decreased from 94% to 80%. Overall positive lymph nodes were identified in 0.87%, 2.0% and 7.1% of men in the low, intermediate and high risk groups, respectively. While men with high risk disease continued to undergo pelvic lymphadenectomy at a high rate (greater than 90%), the fraction of men at low and intermediate risk undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy steadily decreased. Prostate specific antigen, Gleason sum, clinical stage and income were factors associated with pelvic lymphadenectomy. A mean of 5.7 lymph nodes (median 5.0) were removed.

CONCLUSIONS

The performance of pelvic lymphadenectomy has decreased in patients at low and intermediate risk, and remained stable in patients at high risk. Further investigation of the role of extended pelvic lymphadenectomy and the potential therapeutic benefits of pelvic lymphadenectomy would better define the contemporary role of pelvic lymphadenectomy and identify appropriate candidates.

The incidence and treatment of lymphoceles after radical retropubic prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence and treatment of lymphoceles after retropubic radical prostatectomy (RP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Up to January 2004, 260 patients who had a retropubic RP in one institution by one surgeon were assessed retrospectively, using the patients' notes or the computerized results system to determine whether a lymphocele was suspected and then confirmed by imaging studies (computed tomography or ultrasonography).

RESULTS

Nine patients developed symptomatic lymphoceles; eight of these were detected by imaging. Four lymphoceles required intervention while the remainder regressed spontaneously. No complications were reported in the group that was treated.

CONCLUSION

The rate of symptomatic lymphocele formation was low after RP, with an overall incidence of 3.5%. Ultrasonography was effective in detecting lymphoceles and ultrasonographically guided percutaneous drainage an effective treatment.

Nodal Involvement in Bladder Cancer

There are many controversies about the actual meaning of nodal involvement in bladder cancer and, subsequently, about the real benefit of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in patients with positive nodes at the time of cystectomy.

In this article we reviewed the literature about the role of nodal involvement and the impact of positive nodes on the prognosis.

The finding of positive nodes after radical cystectomy and PLND makes generally consider bladder cancer as a systemic disease and it is associated with poor prognosis. Therefore many urologists don't perform radical surgery in patients with positive nodes at time of cystectomy.

P category, N category, and distant metastases are the most important factors in determining the outcome of patients with bladder cancer with nodal involvment. PLND is necessary for accurate staging in bladder cancer and appears to benefit patients with limited nodal involvement.

PLND should be considered as a standard procedure that should be performed in every patient with indication of surgical treatment for TCC of the bladder.

Frequency of lymphoceles after open and laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection in patients with prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the frequencies of pelvic lymphocele formation after laparoscopic and open pelvic lymph node dissection in patients with prostate cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 132 patients operated on with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) underwent CT scanning of the abdomen and pelvis at a median of 29 days postoperatively. Open pelvic lymph node dissection (OPLND) was performed in 94 patients (71%) and 38 patients (29%) were operated on using a laparoscopic technique (LPLND). The frequency and size of pelvic lymphoceles were registered. Lymphoceles with a horizontal diameter of </=4.9 cm were classified as small and those with a horizontal diameter of >/=5.0 cm were classified as large.

RESULTS

The overall frequency of lymphoceles was 54%. The frequencies in the OPLND and LPLND groups were 61% and 37%, respectively. A total of 27% of the OPLND patients had large lymphoceles, compared to 8% of the LPLND patients. Three patients (2.3%), all in the OPLND group, had clinically significant lymphoceles.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the overall frequency of lymphocele formation was high, clinically significant lymphoceles were scarce. LPLND was associated with a statistically significant lower frequency of lymphocele formation compared to OPLND.

Indications for pelvic lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer

Clearly, pelvic lymphadenectomy can provide important staging information in the management of prostate cancer, but this benefit is counterbalanced by a modest increase in morbidity and the significant cost of the procedure. It is difficult to provide universal recommendations concerning the indications for pelvic lymphadenectomy. Part of the problem lies in the fact that urologists perform pelvic lymphadenectomy for several different reasons. Some surgeons perform pelvic lymphadenectomy to better counsel patients after radical prostatectomy about their risk for disease progression and for planning adjuvant radiotherapy or hormonal therapy. For these surgeons, preoperative clinical staging parameters do not exclude patients from pelvic lymphadenectomy, and frozen section analysis intraoperatively provides no useful information. Alternatively, the staging information from pelvic lymphadenectomy can be used to justify cancellation of the subsequent prostatectomy should regional spread of prostate cancer be identified, sparing the patient the morbidity of an unnecessary radical prostatectomy. With this approach, despite the false-negative rate of up to 30%, the expense of frozen section analysis seems justified. For this second group of surgeons, the problem becomes balancing the modest morbidity and cost of pelvic lymphadenectomy against the probability that nodal spread of prostate cancer will be missed if the procedure is omitted. The authors consider a greater than 4% risk for missing regional disease to be unacceptable in this setting. Following this assumption, Table 3 outlines parameters for clinical stage, Gleason score, and preoperative PSA within which pelvic lymphadenectomy is indicated. These recommendations are based on [table: see text] predictions from the Partin nomogram, which has been validated using a series of over 4000 patients. For the large number of patients with clinical T1c disease and a preoperative PSA less than 10 ng/mL, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is indicated only if prostate biopsy identifies tumor of Gleason grade 4 or higher. For lower-grade tumors in this patient population, the risk for nodal metastasis was less than 5% in the Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic series of over 5800 patients with prostate cancer. For a large pool of patients, the several thousand dollar cost of pelvic lymphadenectomy and the risk for injury to the obturator nerves and vessels, the formation of lymphoceles, and chronic genital edema can be eliminated with low risk. A nomogram-based approach provides only a starting point for a decision analysis framework to determine whether the surgeon should perform lymphadenectomy at the time of radical prostatectomy because current nomograms predict only lymph node positivity. In a decision analysis framework, some patient and physician value is derived from a negative lymphadenectomy. Moreover, the morbidity associated with pelvic lymphadenectomy and the potential inconvenience associated with treating such morbidity also would be factored into the decision. Consequently, a decision analysis framework that takes into account prognostic value, costs, morbidity, and health state uses ultimately will provide the most informative method for determining when pelvic lymphadenectomy is indicated in patients with prostate cancer.

Lymphoceles after laparoscopic pelvic node dissection

OBJECTIVE

Lymphocele formation has been infrequently reported as a complication of laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND). We determined the incidence of clinical and subclinical lymphocele formation in patients undergoing transperitoneal LPLND.

METHODS

Charts and radiological records of 111 patients undergoing transperitoneal LPLND at this institution between January 1991 and December 1995 were reviewed to determine the incidence of lymphocele formation.

RESULTS

Of 111 patients undergoing LPLND, 12.6% had positive lymph nodes and received hormonal therapy. Radical retropubic (12) or perineal (28) prostatectomy was performed either simultaneously or within 2 weeks in 41% of the node-negative patients. Radiation therapy was the treatment modality in the remaining node negative patients (N = 57). Twenty-three patients undergoing radiation therapy had preplanning pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans 2 to 16 weeks (mean 8.2 weeks) after LPLND. These were reviewed by a single radiologist to determine the presence of subclinical lymphoceles. Seven patients (30.4%) had lymphoceles of varying sizes (3 large and 4 small). Although most were identified on CT scans 4 weeks after the procedure, two were identified on scans 12 and 16 weeks after the procedure (mean 6.5 weeks). None of these patients developed symptoms referable to or had treatment for the lymphocele during a 2 to 37 month follow-up (mean 20 months). Only two patients (3.5%) undergoing LPLND as an isolated procedure had clinical evidence of lymphocele formation, both of which were subsequently confirmed with CT scans (1 large, 1 small). One was treated with CT-guided drainage and sclerosis and the other resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSION

The clinical incidence of lymphocele formation following LPLND remains relatively low. Only a portion of these patients requires intervention. Subclinical lymphoceles, as detected on follow-up CT scans, occur with a much greater frequency. These seldom become symptomatic requiring treatment. Rather, they appear to resolve spontaneously. Nevertheless, clinical suspicion should remain high in order to detect and properly treat symptomatic lymphoceles when they occur.

Laparoscopic staging pelvic lymphadenectomy: extraperitoneal approach

Comparative studies have proven the feasibility as well as reduced morbidity of endoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection when compared to open pelvic lymphadenectomy. Transperitoneal laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, however, has been associated with complications related to transperitoneal access and intraperitoneal dissection. We, therefore, developed the extraperitoneal laparoscopic staging pelvis lymph node dissection which combines the anatomic principles of open pelvic lymphadenectomy with the minimally invasive endoscopic technique. Exploration of the area of our endoscopic lymphadenectomy during radical retropubic prostatectomy proved the feasibility of our dissection. In patients selected for laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, we now prefer the extraperitoneal approach.

Delayed infection of a pelvic lymphocele following pelvic lymphadenectomy

Pelvic lymphocele is an infrequent complication of pelvic surgery, usually presenting shortly after surgery. We report a case of an infected pelvic lymphocele presenting more than 1 year after a staging pelvic lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. This case illustrates that late infection of pelvic lymphoceles can occur following a pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical prostatectomy.

Retroperitoneal lymphocele formation after selective laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node sampling

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node sampling is being evaluated at several institutions as a minimally invasive alternative to evaluate pathologically retroperitoneal lymph nodes in cases of clinical stage A testis tumor. We report on the development of a symptomatic lymphocele after selective laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node sampling.

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic staging pelvic lymph node dissection

As laparoscopic techniques develop, endoscopic lymph node dissection is becoming preferred as the minimally invasive technique for lymph node staging of pelvic malignancies. We developed an extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach to staging pelvic lymphadenectomy, and describe our technique, results and experience in our initial 9 patients.

Extraperitoneal endoscopic gasless pelvic lymph node dissection

The insufflated extraperitoneal approach to endoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection has been described as an alternative method of staging carcinoma of the prostate. There are several potential pitfalls in performing this approach, including the use of endoscopic instrumentation, trocars, insufflation equipment, and general anesthesia. In order to overcome potential problems associated with this surgical approach, a totally gasless extraperitoneal approach has been developed. This technique uses standard surgical instruments, does not use carbon dioxide to maintain the operative space, and uses general anesthesia. This procedure is more cost effective, since it uses no special instrumentation except the laprolift and laprofan to maintain the extraperitoneal cavity during lymph node dissection.

Endoscopic management of persistent lymphocele following laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy

OBJECTIVE

To report an alternative form of management of a persistent lymphocele that was unresponsive to percutaneous drainage and ethanol sclerotherapy.

METHODS

Herein is described the technique of dilating the previously established percutaneous drainage tract to facilitate insertion of a flexible ureteroscope. Through this instrument electrosurgical fulguration of the lymphocele cavity was performed.

RESULTS

The patient had complete resolution of the lymphocele cavity on computed tomography (CT) scan and remains asymptomatic at six months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Flexible ureteroscopic access and fulguration of a lymphocele proved to be a safe and effective method of obliterating the lymphocele cavity.

Treatment of persistent lymphatic drainage after laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection and radical retropubic prostatectomy

A patient with a lymphocele after laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy was treated successfully with a single instillation of diatrizoate meglumine through a Jackson-Pratt drain. The authors review the origin of lymphoceles and various methods for treating them.

Prophylactic mini-dose heparin in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy. A prospective trial

We initiated a prospective, partially randomized trial of the effects of perioperative prophylactic mini-dose heparin on the incidence of clinically evident pulmonary emboli, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusions, duration of postoperative pelvic drainage, and lymphocele formation in 68 consecutive patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy. We treated 32 patients with mini-dose heparin and 36 without it. We detected pulmonary emboli in 4 (11%) patients not treated with mini-dose heparin and in none treated with heparin (p = 0.052). Anesthesiologists estimated a mean intraoperative blood loss of 2,152 cc in the heparinized patients compared with 1,886 cc in controls (p = 0.2). At a time when our policy was to replace all blood loss, we transfused a mean of 3.9 units to heparinized patients and 3.2 units to controls (p = 0.1). Persistent lymphatic drainage requiring more than six days of closed suction drainage occurred in 12 of 32 (38%) heparinized patients as compared with 4 of 36 (11%) controls (p = 0.01). We discontinued the study after 68 patients because of the morbidity associated with mini-dose heparin. Because of the associated morbidity we do not recommend the routine use of mini-dose heparin in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Extraperitoneal endoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection

Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy has been found to be efficacious in the staging of genitourinary cancers. Technological advances in endoscopic instrumentation have allowed an extraperitoneal approach to be performed. Presented are two patients who underwent an extraperitoneal endoscopic lymph node dissection as a staging procedure for prostatic carcinoma. Technical aspects of the procedure and advantages relative to the laparoscopic intraperitoneal approach are discussed.

Management of symptomatic lymphocele via percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy with tetracycline

Lymph collections following pelvic surgery are usually asymptomatic, but may occasionally produce symptoms requiring invasive therapy. We have successfully obliterated a large lymphocele by employing percutaneous drainage and instilling tetracycline.

Percutaneous management of postoperative lymphocele

A case report of a pelvic lymphocele developing after lymphadenectomy for staging of prostatic carcinoma is described. This collection was successfully managed by percutaneous catheter drainage. The incidence, pathophysiology, clinical symptomatology, differential diagnosis, and treatment options of pelvic lymphocele are reviewed. We believe that percutaneous catheter drainage is currently the optimal treatment modality.

Lymphocele formation after extraperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy: possible predisposing factors

A retrospective review of 61 patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed to assess possible predisposing factors for lymphocele development. The procedure was done to facilitate staging of prostatic carcinoma in all of the patients. The complication occurred in 9 patients (14.8 per cent). Analysis revealed a statistically significantly higher incidence of lymphoceles in patients without drainage (p less than 0.05) and in patients whose lymph nodes had no metastatic disease (p less than 0.025). Furthermore, 9 patients (without drainage and with nodes that were free of tumor but who received mini-dose heparin therapy) as a subgroup had the highest incidence of lymphocele formation. Although these individual factors have been attributed to this complication after lymphadenectomy they may act synergistically.

The management of intractable lymphocyst following radical hysterectomy

Six cases of intractable lymphocyst occurred in a series of 108 patients undergoing radical hysterectomy, an incidence rate of 5.6%. The complexities of pelvic lymphocyst are illustrated by their unusual presentation and problems in their management. Large lymphocysts should initially be treated by percutaneous catheter drainage before resorting to peritoneal marsupialization.

Lymphocele after retroperitoneal node dissection for testis tumor

A patient is presented in whom a lymphocele developed after a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for Stage II embryonal carcinoma of the testicle. The benign nature of this lymphocele has been confirmed not only by the diagnostic procedures outlined, but by its stability over a 42-month follow-up period with no further antitumor therapy. We conclude from reviewing the literature that while aggressive measures are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of a lymphocele, its management should be expectant. If significant obstruction of neighboring structures occurs, an attempt at percutaneous drainage (and possibly sclerosis) seems appropriate despite potential risks of interventional treatment such as hemorrhage and introduction of infection. Open procedures for marsupialization and drainage should be reserved for cases in which more conservative measures fail.

Internal drainage of lymphocele by a pedicled omental flap

An unusual case of huge pelvic and retroperitoneal lymphocele following bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is presented. The lymphocele was successfully managed by the procedure of internal drainage with pedicled omental flap.