Pelvic lymphadenectomy and brachytherapy for prostatic cancer. Analysis of early postoperative morbidity.

Pelvic lymphadenectomy and interstitial radiotherapy of the prostate for early carcinoma is a procedure with a significant postoperative morbidity, depending on the extent of dissection, type of drainage, and use of heparin. Hematoma and lymphocele formation seem to be promoted by heparin. Limited lymph node dissection, appropriate drainage, and the abandonment of heparin for prophylaxis of thromboembolism can reduce the complications associated with pelvic lymphadenectomy.