title: Videoscopic ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy for groin lymph node metastases from melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Groin lymph node dissection for melanoma is burdened by high postoperative morbidity. Videoscopic lymphadenectomy may lower the incidence of complications, including infection, dehiscence and lymphoedema. This pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility and postoperative outcomes of videoscopic ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy in patients with inguinal nodal melanoma metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with inguinal nodal metastases, with either a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy or clinically positive nodes from melanoma, were enrolled. Inguinal dissection was performed via three ports. Iliac dissection was obtained through a preperitoneal access. Intraoperative and postoperative data were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 23 patients selected for 24 procedures, four needed conversion to an open procedure. Median duration of surgery was 270 (i.q.r. 245-300) min. Wound-related postoperative complications occurred in four patients, although only one needed further intervention. The median number of excised lymph nodes was 21 (i.q.r. 15-25). After a median follow-up of 18 months, regional lymph node recurrence was observed in two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Videoscopic ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy for melanoma groin lymph node metastases is technically feasible, safe, and associated with acceptable morbidity and oncological outcome.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sommariva
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pasquali
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cona
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesiology Units, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ciccarese
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saadeh
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Campana
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesiology Units, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meroni
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061887:Conversion to Open Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D061646:Operative Time; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery