title: Lymphoceles, lymphorrhea, and lymphedema after laparoscopic and open endometrial cancer staging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the incidence of lymphoceles, lymphorrhea, and lymphedema after systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients who underwent laparoscopic or open abdominal staging for endometrial cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 138 consecutive women who underwent systematic laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer staging were compared to 123 historical control subjects staged via an open approach. Postoperative screening for lymphadenectomy-related complications by ultrasound was consistently performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of perioperative complications was lower in cases than in control subjects. Overall, lymphoceles were diagnosed in 19 (15.4%) and 2 (1.4%) patients who had open and laparoscopic staging, respectively (odds ratio 12.42; 95% confidence interval 2.82-54.55; P < 0.0001). Symptomatic lymphoceles were more frequent after open staging than after laparoscopy (P = 0.028). Lymphorrhea occurred in 1 and 4 patients after laparoscopic and open surgery (P = 0.19). No difference in the incidence of lymphedema was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that laparoscopic endometrial cancer staging is associated with a lower occurrence of both asymptomatic and symptomatic lymphoceles compared to open surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy. Fabio.ghezzi@uninsubria.it
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uccella
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cromi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bogani
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robba
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serati
authors.forename: Pierfrancesco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bolis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008210:Lymphocele / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate