Use of in situ spermatic cord patch for inguinal lymph node dissection.

Inguinal lymph node dissection for diagnosis of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the penis can cause significant morbidity and mortality for patients due to local wound breakdown, lymphedema, and vascular erosion. Various methods have been described to cover exposed femoral vessels to preserve their integrity, the most common being transposition of the sartorius muscle. We describe the successful use of in situ spermatic cord for coverage of the femoral artery and vein after inguinal lymph node dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis in two patients. To our knowledge, this has not been previously described and is a simple and successful alternative way to cover the femoral vessels after inguinal lymphadenectomy.