title: Effect of mini-dose heparin on lymphocele formation following extraperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy.
abstract: To evaluate the effect of mini-dose heparin therapy on lymphocele formation after extraperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy we reviewed the records of 38 patients undergoing this procedure for prostatic cancer during a 24-month period. All patients had a minimum of 6 months of followup. Lymphoceles occurred in 3 of 8 patients (38 per cent) receiving mini-dose heparin and prolonged lymph drainage occurred in 1 other patient (12 per cent). In contrast, only 1 of 30 patients (3 per cent) not receiving mini-dose heparin had a lymphocele and 1 (3 per cent) had prolonged lymph drainage. The results suggest that mini-dose heparin may delay clotting of lymph and, thus, may be associated with an increased incidence of lymphocele formation after extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy.
mesh_terms: D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008196:Lymph / Q000187:drug effects; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin