Endoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy

Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of endoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy is inadequate in quantity. Therefore, this procedure should only be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit or research.

Clinicians wishing to undertake endoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy should take the following actions.

• Inform the clinical governance leads in their Trusts.

• Ensure that patients and their carers understand the uncertainty about the procedure's safety and efficacy, and provide them with clear written information. In addition, the use of NICE's information for the public is recommended

• Audit and review clinical outcomes of all patients having endoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy (see section 3.1).

This procedure should be carried out only in centres which specialise in the treatment of cancers requiring radical inguinal lymphadenectomy as part of their management, and by surgeons with training and experience in this type of endoscopic surgery.

Publications on the use of this procedure should clearly describe case selection, and should report rates of local recurrence and survival, as well as adverse events. NICE may review this procedure on publication of further evidence.