Inguinal sentinel lymph node dissection vs. complete inguinal lymph node dissection in patients with vulvar cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this retrospective study was to ascertain the postoperative morbidity in patients with vulvar cancer undergoing sentinel lymph node vs. complete inguinal lymph node dissection.


METHODS
In total 29 and 46 patients with vulvar cancer, were treated by the technique of inguinal sentinel lymph node dissection or complete inguinal lymph node dissection, respectively.


RESULTS
Inguinal sentinel lymph node dissection was associated with a shorter operation time, a reduced rate of inguinal seromas, wound breakdown and wound infection, fewer days of inguinal drainage, and reduced postoperative lymphatic secretion.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence of reduced peri- and postoperative morbidity with the sentinel lymph node technique for inguinal lymph node dissection in patients with vulvar cancer was demonstrated.
Hefler
Lukas A
LA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. lukas.hefler@meduniwien.ac.at
Grimm
Christoph
C
Six
Lucia
L
Seebacher
Veronika
V
Polterauer
Stephan
S
Joura
Elmar
E
Tempfer
Clemens
C
Sliutz
Gerhard
G
Reinthaller
Alexander
A
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*