Intraoperative mapping with isosulfan blue of lymphatic leakage during inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) for skin cancer for the prevention of postoperative lymphocele.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal lymphocele is a well-known complication of inguinal lymph node dissection. Isosulfan blue has been used to identify and treat lymphoceles arising from lymphatics injured during surgery of the groin. However, the preventive use at the time of lymph node dissection has not been reported.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the potential role of intraoperative injection of isosulfan blue during inguinal lymph node dissection for the prevention of postoperative lymphocele.

METHODS: We performed 43 conventional inguinal lymph node dissections (group A) and 7 inguinal lymph node dissections using isosulfan blue injection around the dissected inguinal region (group B) to identify lymphatic leakage intraoperatively.

RESULTS: Lymphoceles were observed in 13 of 43 dissections (30.23%) in group A and in 0 of 7 dissections (0%) in group B. The number of detected injured lymphatics ranged from 0 to 6 (mean 3.3) in group B. The mean postoperative lymphatic drainage output was less in group B than in group A. The mean number of days of suction catheter insertion was 4.43 days in group B, and 7.98 days in group A.

CONCLUSIONS: The technique during inguinal lymph node dissection presented herein is useful for the prevention of postoperative lymphocele.