Complications of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for nonseminomatous tumors of testis.

We present 4 patients with serious complications after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Chylothorax developed in the first patient; hypertension, blindness, and paralysis of the lower extremities in the second; volvulus and necrosis around an adhesion in the right upper quadrant in the third; and small-bowel obstruction and radiation myelitis in the fourth patient. These complications and modes of treatment and prevention are discussed.