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Review Article

Complications following inguinal and ilioinguinal lymphadenectomies: a meta-analysis

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Pages 315-320 | Received 08 Oct 2015, Accepted 03 Mar 2016, Published online: 05 May 2016
 

Abstract

Background: Inguinal lymphadenectomy is essential for regional staging of malignant melanoma in the lower part of the body. The procedure is associated with a wide range of complication rates. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature for papers describing complication rates following inguinal (ID) and ilioinguinal (I-ID) lymphadenectomies, and estimate the actual complication rates in patients with malignant melanoma.

Methods: The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for studies reporting complications following ID and I-ID for malignant melanomas.

Results: A total of 416 records were identified, of which 20 were deemed eligible for this study. The complication rates (with 95% confidence intervals) were found to be as follows: overall complications = 52% (44–60%); lymphorrea = 29% (0–71%); seroma = 23% (18–29%); infection = 21% (15–27%); wound breakdown  =14% (8–21%); skin edge necrosis = 10% (6–15%); haematoma = 3% (1–5%); and lymphoedema = 33% (25–42%).

Conclusion: Complication rates following ID and I-ID remain high, despite the many efforts to reduce these, with lymphorrea, seromas, and infections being the most prevalent complications.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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