title: Patient risk factors and surgical morbidity after regional lymphadenectomy in 204 melanoma patients.
abstract: A series of 204 melanoma patients were studied six months or longer after regional lymph node dissection of the neck (N = 48), axilla (N = 98) and groin (N = 58) in order to determine the degree of morbidity and analyze for risk factors associated with these procedures. Only one-quarter of the patients experienced wound-related, short-term complications that were common at all sites; however, these rarely resulted in long-term functional deficits. Seromas (22%), temporary nerve dysfunction or pain (14%), and wound infections (6%) were the most frequent short-term complications. Wound complications extended the mean hospital stay by 0.6 to 4.8 days. Residual lymphedema of the leg was measurable in 26% of groin dissection patients after six months or longer; most of the edema was confined to the thigh. Only 8% of patients had significant functional deficit from lymphedema. The risk of developing at least one complication for all patients was increased for obese patients (P = 0.05) and increasing age (P = .01). These risk factors should be considered when evaluating melanoma patients for regional lymph node dissection.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012306:Risk; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*