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 less than or equal to4.9 cm were classified as small and those with a horizontal diameter of greater than or equal to5.0 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.