Bilateral Inguinal Lymphoceles Following Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
Sameer Chopra, MD, Patrick Ramos, MD, Andre Luis de Castro Abreu, MD, Scott Leslie, MD, Monish Aron, MD
USC Institute of Urology, Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA (all authors).
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Pelvic lymphoceles are a known complication of pelvic lymph node dissection after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). However, large symptomatic inguinal lymphoceles after RARP have hitherto not been reported.
Case Description: We present the case of a 71-year-old morbidly obese man who developed large, symptomatic, bilateral inguinal lymphoceles after RARP and pelvic lymph node dissection. The surgery itself was uneventful, as was the hospital stay. The patient returned 3 weeks postoperatively with bilateral inguinal pain and swelling, which was confirmed on imaging to be bilateral inguinal lymphoceles. These were initially treated with bilateral percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage, but this treatment was complicated by repeated tube blockages, fever, and conversion of the lymphoceles into multiloculated abscesses. Definitive treatment consisted of open left lymphocele excision first. After excision of the left inguinal lymphocele, the right lymphocele became infected and formed a large inflammatory phlegmon, necessitating open right inguinal lymphocele excision with right orchiectomy. Culture demonstrated gram-negative Prevotella bivia.
Discussion: This case was unique because the patient presented with bilateral, large, symptomatic, recurrent inguinal lymphoceles, as opposed to the more common pelvic lymphoceles. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral, symptomatic inguinal lymphoceles after RARP with pelvic lymph node dissection.
Key Words: Lymphocele, Radical prostatectomy, Robotics, Complications.
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