Complications of inguinal lymphadenectomy

Abstract

The urologic oncology literature has supported a more aggressive use of inguinal lymph node dissection in patients with high-risk penile cancer. Lymphadenectomy provides important staging that may determine the need for further adjuvant therapies and may prove therapeutic in some tumors. However, surgical morbidity can be a significant problem after radical inguinal lymph node dissection. Wound infection, skin necrosis, wound dehiscence, and lymphedema have been reported in a high portion of cases. Modified approaches and development of new techniques have reduced the incidence of these complications. This chapter provides an overview of complications of inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer and outlines strategies that may be helpful in preventing or treating these complications.