Leg swelling after inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy and primary melanoma excision with a safety margin.

BACKGROUND

Risk-factors for leg swelling following primary melanoma excision and inguinal sentinel lymphadenectomy (SLNE) have not been sufficiently investigated.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We prospectively studied three parameters in 105 subjects: 1) subjectively perceived swelling, 2) clinically diagnosed swelling and 3) photo-optical measurement of volume differences between both legs.

RESULTS

Perceived swelling, clinically diagnosed swelling, and manifest edema occurred in 31%, 15%, and 7% of patients respectively. Following inguinal SLNE, there was a mean volume increase of 1.5% in the operated leg. Both the lower leg and the thigh increased in volume. Obesity, primary melanoma location on the lower leg, and inguinal seromas were identified as significant risk factors for postoperative swelling. Wider excision margins around a primary melanoma on the thigh were also associated with a significant increase in volume. Age, sex, the number of sentinel lymph nodes, the drainage fluid volume, and the time since SLNE were non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Both inguinal SLNE and primary melanoma excision may contribute to minimal fluid accumulation in the leg. More than two-thirds of patients did not have any swelling. Obesity, location of the primary melanoma at a distal site on the leg, a wide safety margin, and seromas are associated with postoperative leg swelling.