Vacuum-assisted closure versus conventional wound care in the treatment of wound failures following inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile cancer: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES

Impaired wound healing is a frequent event in inguinal surgery and very common after lymphadenectomy for penile cancer. Although vacuum therapy has been reported to expedite the healing of complex wound failures, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has been reported to be contraindicated in malignancy. In the present study we evaluated the use of VAC in the treatment of complex wound failures following inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile cancer in comparison to conventional wound care (CWC) implying debridement and saline-soaked gauze.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified six inguinal wounds following inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile cancer and subsequent use of VAC from 2003 to 2006 at our institution. Data on surgical interventions, complications, length of time required for closure, and outcome were compared to 10 inguinal defects treated with CWC between 2000 and 2003.

RESULTS

Wound volume was comparable for both groups. Wound breakdown occurred at a median of 7.4 d after inguinal lymphadenectomy and was treated by CWC for a mean of 69.8 d. In the VAC group, the median duration until complete closure was 38.9 d. Thus, VAC was shown to result in complete wound healing in less time (p<0.001). No local recurrence in the VAC group was noted despite positive lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

VAC therapy is effective in complex inguinal wound failures following lymphadenectomy for penile cancer and appears to be superior to CWC. VAC seems to offer adequate safety concerning local recurrence.