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.