Intranodal lymphangiography under microsurgery for refractory lymphatic ascites after pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Lymphatic ascites is a postoperative complication of lymph node dissection. Most symptomatic cases improve with conservative treatments. However, optimal management strategies for intractable lymphatic ascites remain controversial, and clinicians sometimes encounter intractable lymphatic ascites that does not respond to conservative management. We herein report a case of postoperative intractable lymphatic ascites that was successfully treated with intranodal lymphangiography (LG) from inguinal lymph nodes under microsurgery. A 56-year-old woman was diagnosed with stage II endometrial cancer and underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomies. On postoperative day (POD) 13, the patient presented with abdominal distention, and lymphatic ascites was diagnosed. Although the patient was treated with conservative management and lymphaticovenular anastomosis, her lymphatic ascites did not resolve. Finally, intranodal LG from the inguinal region was performed under microsurgery. A 2-cm incision was made on each side of the inguinal region. Once the lymph nodes were identified, a 23-gauge needle was inserted into the lymph node and lipiodol was injected. Extravasation of lipiodol into the abdomen from the left side of the lower pelvic region was confirmed. The postoperative course was uneventful. The ascites gradually decreased and disappeared within two weeks after LG.

First case of Cutibacterium avidum-infected pelvic lymphocele post-lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer: A case report.

Background: Pelvic lymphocele (lymphocyst) infection after lymphadenectomy is a rare complication that can cause the spread of inflammation to neighboring organs whose microbiology is not well known. Cutibacterium avidum causes various infections. However, no case reports of C. avidum pelvic lymphocele infection are available; therefore, its clinical characteristics in pelvic lymphocele infections remain unknown. Case presentation: A 38-year-old woman with obesity (body mass index: 38.1 kg/m2) and a history of pelvic lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy for endometrial cancer presented with worsening left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain with fever. Physical examination revealed decreased abdominal bowel sounds and tenderness on LLQ palpation with no signs of peritonitis. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an infected left pelvic lymphocele with inflammation spreading to the adjacent sigmoid colon. Following blood culture, ampicillin/sulbactam (2 g/1 g every 6 h) was administered intravenously. Anaerobic culture bottles revealed gram-positive rods on day 4 of incubation at 37 °C. No other disseminated foci were observed in enhanced whole-body CT and upon transthoracic echocardiography. The isolates grew aerobically and anaerobically on blood agar plates with strong hemolysis. The bacterium was identified as C. avidum using a combination of characteristic peak analysis with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The patient was diagnosed with C. avidum pelvic lymphocele infection. Based on penicillin susceptibility, the patient was successfully treated with intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam and de-escalated with intravenous ampicillin (2 g every 6 h) for 10 days, followed by oral amoxicillin (2000 mg/day) for an additional 11 days without drainage. Conclusions: C. avidum should be considered a causative microorganism of pelvic lymphocele infection. Peak analysis using MALDI and distinctive growth on blood agar plates are suitable for identifying C. avidum. Mild pelvic lymphocele caused by C. avidum can be treated with a short course of appropriate antimicrobial treatment without surgical intervention.

Resolution of large pelvic lymphocele after incidental intracystic hemorrhage caused by percutaneous catheter drainage: Case report.

We report the case of a large pelvic lymphocele after an ovarian cancer operation, which incidentally vanished after bleeding resulting from percutaneous catheter drainage. The patient was a 74-year-old woman with stage IVB ovarian cancer who underwent surgery including pelvic lymph node dissection. Three months after surgery, computed tomography revealed a large (13-cm diameter) pelvic lymphocele with associated bilateral hydronephrosis and left femoral vein thrombosis. The lymphocele was repeatedly drained by percutaneous aspiration, and the day after the second procedure, the drainage fluid became bloody. The catheter was clamped for 3 days and then removed. The lymphocele volume gradually decreased, and it was not seen on a computed tomography scan 70 days after drainage. The lymphocele did not recur prior to her death. In this case, the intracystic hemorrhage was considered to have served as a blood patch for lymph leakage.

Postoperative lymphocyst formation after pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecologic cancers: comparison between laparoscopy and laparotomy.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate, using definitive diagnostic criteria, the incidence of lymphocyst formation following pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecological cancer, and to compare rates between the approaches of laparoscopy and laparotomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical or endometrial cancer between March of 2010 and March of 2016. We defined a lymphocyst as a circumscribed collection of fluid within the pelvic cavity, with a diameter of 2 cm or more, as diagnosed with ultrasound or computed tomography. RESULTS: During the six-year observational period, a pelvic lymphadenectomy was conducted in 196 women with clinical stage I uterine cancer; 90 cases underwent laparoscopy, 106 underwent laparotomy. The minimally invasive laparoscopic group had a lower estimated blood loss (p < 0.01), shorter hospital stay (p < 0.01). Lymphocysts were observed in 14.4% (13/90) of the laparoscopy cases, and in 15.1% (16/106) of the laparotomy cases which means no significant difference of lymphocyst (p = 1.00). The median size of symptomatic lymphocyst was significantly larger in laparotomy group than in laparoscopy group (4.8 cm v.s. 2.8 cm, median) (p = 0.04). Symptomatic lymphocysts were more common in laparotomy [7/90 (7.8%) vs 14/106 (13.2%) (p = 0.253)]. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective analysis with a strict diagnostic criteria, we could find no statistical difference in lymphocyst occurrence between laparoscopy and laparotomy. The median size of the lymphocyst was bigger and lymphocyst was likely to be symptomatic in the laparotomy group.

The clinical analysis of septic shock caused by lymphocyst infection after lymph node dissection in 13 diabetic patients / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To improve the rate of successful rescue through analyzing the clinical features and treating processes of septic shock caused by lymphocyst infection after lymph node dissection in diabetic patients.Methods:A total of 462 cases of diabetic patients with bladder, prostate, renal cancers, cervical, endometrial and ovarian were retrospectively analyzed, all of whom underwent standard surgical treatments including pelvic lymph node dissection, hospitalized in department of urology surgery and gynecology of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from Jan 2015 to Jan 2020. Lymphocytes were confirmed in 148 cases, of which 89 cases were complicated by infection, and 13 cases developed septic shock. Patients with lymphocyst infection were divided into shock and non-shock groups, and age, sex, duration of diabetes, BMI, glycosylated hemoglobin at admission, number of lymph nodes surgically removed, retention time of drainage tube after operation, maximum diameter of lymphocyst and time between infection and previous chemotherapy were compared. The initial symptoms, blood routine in the first time after the onset of the infection, the time from onset to drainage puncture and catheterization and the final outcomes were analyzed in 13 patients with septic shock. The results of pathogen culture and drug sensitivity of infected lymphocyst fluid were also analyzed.Results:Categorical variable test showed that: in diabetic patients with lymphocyst infection, there were significant differences in glycosylated hemoglobin ( P=0.018) , adjuvant chemotherapy ( P=0.014) and lymphocyst size ( P<0.001) between shock group and non-shock group. Among the 13 cases of septic shock, 11 caseshad mild to moderate fever or abdominal pain. The total leukocyte count of all cases in the first hemogram were less than 20×10 9/L. The average time from onset to drainage was 33 hours. Among the 13 patients, 5 developed MODS and 1 died. There were 2 patients whose conditions were complex with frequent fluctuations. In the 12 patients who recovered from septic shock, only 1 underwent a residual lymphocyst pretreatment, 4 had recurrent cyst infection for 1-2 times, 2 had septic shock again, and 1 died. Gram negative bacteria were the most common pathogens, and the main was Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Piperacillin / tazobactam, carbapenems and tigecycline were commonly sensitive, while the drug resistance rates of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and levofloxacin were more than 50%. Conclusions:Poor glycemic control, adjuvant chemotherapy and big lymphocyst size(d≥5 cm) are the high risk factors of septic shock. Most of shock patients' initial symptoms and total white blood cell count have no warning significance, leading to longer time from infection to drainage, and delayed treatment. Early diagnosis, timely drainage and active anti-infection treatment are the key to a successful treatment. The possibility of connection between lymphocyst and surrounding organ should be considered when the treatment effect is not good. After septic shock of postoperative lymphocyst infection in patients with diabetes, the larger esidual lymphocyst should be intervened actively to avoid serious infection again.

Evaluating the importance of routine drainage following laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection for gynecological malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of drainage following pelvic lymph node (PLN) dissection, especially for cases involving laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 368 patients with malignant gynecological tumors who underwent systemic PLN dissection at Keio University Hospital between January 2012 and October 2018 were enrolled. Drainage tubes were placed in the retroperitoneal fossa in all patients. Medical records were used for data collection. RESULTS: Laparoscopy was performed on 81 patients, and laparotomy was performed on 287 patients. In the laparoscopy group, tubes were removed 1 day post surgery. In the laparotomy group, tubes were removed 1 day post surgery in 167 patients and 4 days post surgery in 120 patients. Compared with the laparotomy group, we determined the laparoscopy group to have a significantly lower prevalence of lymphocyst (6.2% vs 20.2%, p = 0.002) but a similar prevalence of lymphedema (4.9% vs 5.2%), and symptomatic lymphocyst (2.5% vs 4.5%). The two laparotomy groups did not differ significantly with respect to the prevalence of lymphedema (4.8% vs 5.8%), lymphocyst (20.4% vs 20.0%), or symptomatic lymphocyst (4.2% vs 5.0%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that routine drainage should be omitted, especially in cases involving laparoscopic surgery.

Bilateral abdominopelvic lymphoceles secondary to huge uterine leiomyomas: A case report.

Pelvic lymphocele secondary to uterine leiomyoma has not been previously reported. We report a case of abdominopelvic lymphocele associated with huge uterine fibroids which was managed conservatively. A 39-year-old unmarried lady presented with pressure symptoms in pelvis was diagnosed to have a huge uterine leiomyomas occupying the entire abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging of pelvis and abdomen demonstrated multiple uterine fibroids. In addition, bilateral cystic structures were seen in the pelvis with extension to the para-colic gutters. During myomectomy, bilateral abdominopelvic lymphoceles were noted which required only fine-needle aspiration. Follow up abdominal ultrasound at 6 weeks, demonstrated spontaneous resolution of these lesions. The pressure exerted by these huge uterine leiomyomas might have possibly obstructed the lymphatic drainage leading to bilateral abdominopelvic lymphoceles. These secondary lymphoceles resolve spontaneously and does not need any further diagnostic procedures or surgical interventions.

An Overview of Vulvar Cancer: A Single-Center Study from Northeast India.

STUDY: Carcinoma vulva is a rare cancer of the female genital tract. It mostly presents in postmenopausal women. The treatment of vulvar cancer is surgery, chemoradiation, radiotherapy or a combination of all modalities. Here, we present a study of 33 cases of carcinoma vulva over a period of 2 years at a Northeast India regional cancer institute describing its demographic features and treatment outcomes. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study of vulvar cancer diagnosed at Northeast India regional cancer institute from January 2017 to December 2018. RESULTS: A total of 33 cases of biopsy proven carcinoma (Ca) vulva were studied. Maximum number of cases belonged to the age group: 60-69 years (39.4%). 66.67% cases had palpable inguinal lymph nodes at presentation, and 100% had squamous cell carcinoma on histopathology. Maximum number of cases belonged to stage III (44.8%), and least number of cases belonged to stage IV (10.3%) of FIGO 2009 staging of Ca vulva. 87.9% cases underwent treatment, and 12.1% were lost to follow-up. Out of the cases who underwent treatment, 55.2% cases were taken up for primary surgery and 44.8% cases for primary radiotherapy. 75% cases who underwent surgery received adjuvant radiotherapy. No complication was seen in patients post-radiation. But, 6.25% patients post-surgery developed lymphocyst and 18.75% patients developed wound necrosis (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vulvar cancer is not a common malignancy of the female genital tract that presents in sixth and seventh decades of life and often with palpable inguinal lymph nodes. Though early stages of Ca vulva are treated by surgery, the incidence of immediate postoperative complications in our study was more as compared to post-radiotherapy. Also, maximum patients in the present study post-surgery received adjuvant radiotherapy. Thus, radiotherapy can be considered as the primary treatment modality for patients with early as well as advanced vulvar carcinoma.

Effect of blue dye guided lymph channel ligation on the surgical morbidity of groin lymphadenectomy for vulval cancer: a feasibility study.

Inguinal lymphadenectomy has significant morbidity. Blue dye-guided lymph channel ligation is an effective technique for resolving lymphocele. This was a feasibility study in a preventative setting. Patients with vulval cancer requiring bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy were recruited. After lymphadenectomy, patent blue V dye was injected and the severed lymph channels leaking blue dye, on the randomly-designated side were ligated. The median age was 72.5 years and the median body mass index was 25. The median lymph node harvest was 18.5. There were no significant surgical procedural differences between the right and the left sides. There was no significant difference between the two arms in terms of the duration or the volume of drainage and post-operative complications. All patients were alive at the follow-up period of 40.5 months. In this feasibility study, blue dye-guided lymph channel ligation did not significantly impact on post-operative outcomes. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Lymph channel ligation with blue dye-guidance is an effective strategy for managing recalcitrant inguinal lymphocyst. This strategy was prospectively-studied in a small series of patients with non-gynaecological cancers. This particular study by Nakamura et al. ( 2011 ) revealed that such a strategy might be efficacious in reducing wound drain output. What do the results of this study add? Our study is the first study to assess this technique exclusively in vulval cancer. Blue dye-guided lymph channel ligation at the time of inguinal lymphadenectomy does not appear to reduce wound drainage. However, this study suggests that primary lymphocyst predominantly results from inflammatory exudates, whereas persistent secondary lymphocysts are likely to result from lymphorrhoea. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Future studies, which aim to reduce the morbidity of open inguinal lymphadenectomy, should employ a composite strategy to reduce inflammatory secretions. In addition, a biochemical and cytological analysis on lymphocysts at various time points should be performed to characterise the natural history of groin lymphocysts.

Extraperitoneal Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy by Robot-Assisted Laparoscopy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy. DESIGN: A retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: An academic institution. PATIENTS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with gynecologic cancer who presented for para-aortic lymphadenectomy between March 2016 and May 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. INTERVENTIONS: Extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy was performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 23 patients reviewed retrospectively, 10 had cervical cancer, 7 had endometrial cancer, 5 had adnexal cancer, and 1 had vaginal cancer. Data regarding patient characteristics, indication for para-aortic lymphadenectomy, type of surgery (infrarenal or inframesenteric), operative time, surgical complications, number of nodes retrieved, and postoperative hospital length of stay were collected. Two patients were excluded because of early perforation of the peritoneum. In total, 21 para-aortic lymphadenectomies were performed (16 infrarenal and 5 inframesenteric). The median skin-to-skin operating time of infrarenal extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy was 170 minutes (range, 90-225 minutes), the median lymph node count was 18 (range, 11-38), and the median estimated blood loss was 50 mL (range, 10-600 mL). The median skin-to-skin operating time of inframesenteric extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy was 120 minutes (range, 90-220 minutes), the median lymph node count was 10 (range, 7-19), and the median estimated blood loss was 30 mL (range, 10-100). Intraoperative complications included 1 thermal lesion of the left genitofemoral nerve, 1 thermal lesion of the left mesoureter (a ureteral stent was placed to avoid ureteric necrosis and fistula without after effect), and 1 lesion of the inferior vena cava that was sutured by robot-assisted laparoscopy. There were 2 additional cases of perforation of the peritoneum that occurred in the infrarenal group. The median hospital length of stay was 1 day (range, 0-7 days). Three patients were readmitted for symptomatic lymphocysts. CONCLUSION: Extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy provides good visualization of the operative field without arm conflict. Still, perforation of the peritoneum and symptomatic lymphocysts are a postoperative concern.

Risk factors and a prediction model for lower limb lymphedema following lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancer: a hospital-based retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is a chronic and incapacitating condition afflicting patients who undergo lymphadenectomy for gynecologic cancer. This study aimed to identify risk factors for LLL and to develop a prediction model for its occurrence. METHODS: Pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLA) with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PALA) was performed on 366 patients with gynecologic malignancies at Yaizu City Hospital between April 2002 and July 2014; we retrospectively analyzed 264 eligible patients. The intervals between surgery and diagnosis of LLL were calculated; the prevalence and risk factors were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods. We developed a prediction model with which patients were scored and classified as low-risk or high-risk. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of LLL was 23.1% at 1 year, 32.8% at 3 years, and 47.7% at 10 years post-surgery. LLL developed after a median 13.5 months. Using regression analysis, body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.616; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.030-2.535), PLA + PALA (HR, 2.323; 95% CI, 1.126-4.794), postoperative radiation therapy (HR, 2.469; 95% CI, 1.148-5.310), and lymphocyst formation (HR, 1.718; 95% CI, 1.120-2.635) were found to be independently associated with LLL; age, type of cancer, number of lymph nodes, retroperitoneal suture, chemotherapy, lymph node metastasis, herbal medicine, self-management education, or infection were not associated with LLL. The predictive score was based on the 4 associated variables; patients were classified as high-risk (scores 3-6) and low-risk (scores 0-2). LLL incidence was significantly greater in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.440-3.324). The cumulative incidence at 5 years was 52.1% [95% CI, 42.9-62.1%] for the high-risk group and 28.9% [95% CI, 21.1-38.7%] for the low-risk group. The area under the receiver operator characteristics curve for the prediction model was 0.631 at 1 year, 0.632 at 3 years, 0.640 at 5 years, and 0.637 at 10 years. CONCLUSION: BMI ≥25 kg/m2, PLA + PALA, lymphocyst formation, and postoperative radiation therapy are significant predictive factors for LLL. Our prediction model may be useful for identifying patients at risk of LLL following lymphadenectomy. Providing an intensive therapeutic strategy for high-risk patients may help reduce the incidence of LLL and conserve the quality of life.

Effects of Drainage on Pelvic Lymphocyst After Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy Combined with Pelvic Lymphadenectomy / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To explore the influence of no drainage on pelvic lymphocyst following laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy . Methods A total of 105 patients with cervical cancer undergoing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy in this hospital from January 2012 to February 2016 were divided into either non-drainage group (50 cases) or drainage group (55 cases) according to whether the pelvic drainage tube was placed after surgery .Comparative analyses on the incidence of postoperative complications such as pelvic lymphocyst were made between the two groups . Results No significant difference in lymphocyst rate was found between the two groups [27.3%(15/55) vs.24.0%(12/50), χ2 =0.147, P=0.702].The incidence of pelvic infection was lower in the non-drainage group (2.0%, 1/50) than that in the drainage group (14.5%, 8/55), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2 =3.781, P=0.052).Other postoperative complications including urinary retention , urinary fistula, and deep venous thrombosis of lower limb had no statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Drainage after radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer does not make a difference to the incidence of lymphocyst .Non-drainaging doesn ’ t increase the risk of infection .

Management of symptomatic ascites and post-operative lymphocysts with an easy-to-use, patient-controlled, vascular catheter.

OBJECTIVE: Malignant ascites (MA) can be managed with paracentesis, diuretics, shunt-systems, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Some treatments are ineffective; others are associated with complications, involve inpatient procedures, or are not cost-effective. Postoperative lymphocysts (LCs) are managed with inpatient drainage and sclerotherapy or surgery. We tested the use of a vascular catheter in the management of symptomatic MA and LC. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with primary or recurrent cancers with ascites or LCs were managed for symptom relief. A central venous 14-Ga 16-cm catheter (Arrow) was inserted into the abdominal cavity or LC, followed by drainage. RESULTS: The catheter was safely inserted with ultrasound guidance in 43 patients with MA (39 with ovarian cancer: 9 before primary cytoreduction, 30 with recurrence; 4 non-gynecological cancers), and 12 patients with LCs (10 retroperitoneal, 2 bilateral inguinal). All procedures were performed in the outpatient department under local anesthesia, without insertion-related complications. Within a mean of 30 days after catheter placement (range: 7-90 days), no grade 3 infection, peri-drain leakage, or self-removal was noted. In three patients with recurrent ovarian mucinous ascites and one patient with an inguinal LC, some drain obstruction was noted. In cases before primary cytoreduction for ovarian cancer, drainage enabled better nutritional and anesthiological outcomes. Patients with chronic ascites were able to self-monitor the amount of evacuated fluid. Twelve patients whose ascites were drained had chemotherapy at the time, and they reported better well-being, and we estimated better performance status. LC drainage followed by sclerotherapy enabled symptom control and LC radical treatment. CONCLUSION: The use of the vascular catheter is safe, easy, and cost-effective in the management of symptomatic MA and LC.

Use of neutral plasma coagulation in groin node dissection for vulvar malignancy: a novel technique.

Vulvar cancer is an uncommon disease with approximately 1000 cases reported annually in the UK. Lymph node involvement is an important prognostic indicator. Vulvectomy and bilateral groin node dissection are the preferred surgical treatments for early disease and increase survival. However, significant morbidity with lymphocyst formation and wound breakdown has been reported in more than 50% of cases. We report the first case following use of the PlasmaJet(®) neutral argon coagulation system to reduce postoperative lymphocyst formation.

Robot-assisted removal of a lymphocyst causing severe neuralgic pain and adductor atrophy.

Following a robot-assisted radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for early-stage cervical cancer, a 53-year-old woman was diagnosed with a 50-mm right-sided pelvic lymphocyst by the use of vaginal ultrasonography. She gradually developed intermittent increasingly severe neuralgic pain mimicking a meralgia paresthetica. A neurolysis was proposed by the neurosurgeons. Awaiting this intervention, a pelvic MRI revealed a partial atrophy of the ipsilateral adductor muscles and a probable entrapment of the obturator nerve by the lymphocyst as an alternative cause of the pain. Using a four-arm da Vinci-S-HD robot the lymphocyst, located deep in the right obturator fossa and surrounding the obturator nerve, was completely removed, sparing the partially atrophic obturator nerve. No bleeding occurred. The surgery time was 95 min. At 10 months' follow-up the patient was relieved of her pain with no signs of a new lymphocyst.