[Radiotherapy of inguinal lymphorrhea after vascular surgery. A retrospective analysis].
OBJECTIVE
The formation of inguinal lymphorrhea following vascular surgery is a rare but potentially serious problem with an incidence of about 2%. There is no consensus on the most effective treatment for groin lymphorrhea. In a retrospective analysis the usefulness of irradiation in the treatment of inguinal lymph fistulas was investigated.


METHODS
From 08/1997 to 12/2000, 28 patients with inguinal lymph fistulas were irradiated postoperatively (4th-19th day) with a single dose of 3 Gy up to a total dose of 9 Gy on 3 consecutive days using 120- to 300-kV photons. Three further patients received 2 x 4 Gy and 3 x 5 Gy, respectively, due to an interposed weekend.


RESULTS
Secretion volume at the beginning of radiotherapy varied between 50 and 650 ml daily (mean 203 ml, median 175 ml), at the end of radiotherapy between 0 and 350 ml (mean 126 ml, median 120 ml). 3/28 lymph fistulas had resolved during radiotherapy. In 17/28 patients (60.7%) the drains could be removed within 10 days, in further 10/28 patients (35.7%) within 10-20 days after the end of radiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, irradiation of inguinal lymph fistulas proved to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment, facilitating removal of fistula drains within 10-20 days (mean 10.5, median 7 days) after the completion of radiotherapy, thus appearing a good alternative to other conservative treatment modalities.
Dietl
Barbara
B
Klinik für Strahlentherapie, Universitätsklinik, Regensburg. barbara.dietl@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Pfister
Karin
K
Aufschläger
Carina
C
Kasprzak
Piotr M
PM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*