Endoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy

Patients with penile, vulval or anal cancer, or melanoma of the leg, may require radical inguinal lymphadenectomy as part of the management of their condition.

The standard method for radical inguinal lymphadenectomy is an open operation through an incision in the groin.

The endoscopic approach has theoretical advantages of reduced postoperative pain, morbidity and recovery time compared with the open procedure.

Endoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy is carried out with the patient under general anaesthesia. Ultrasound guidance may be used. Three or four small incisions are made in the area of the femoral triangle for insertion of ports, and the working space is insufflated with carbon dioxide (CO₂). The lymph nodes are dissected endoscopically. Resected nodes are placed in an impermeable sac and removed through one of the port sites. Resection of the saphenous vein may also be required. A suction drain is normally inserted at the end of the procedure.

A non-randomised study of 15 patients (30 limbs) treated by endoscopic (20 limbs) or open (10 limbs) radical inguinal lymphadenectomy reported that the mean number of lymph nodes removed was 10.75 and 9.7 respectively (p=0.3).

A case series of 5 patients reported recurrence in 2 patients. One patient had recurrence with multiple visceral metastases after the procedure. The other patient had recurrence in a lymph node outside of the inguinal area, which was subsequently resected (follow-up not stated).

In the non-randomised study of 15 patients treated by endoscopic or open radical inguinal lymphadenectomy, mean length of hospital stay in patients who had the endoscopic procedure in 1 lower limb and the open procedure in the other (n=10) was 6.4 days compared with 24 hours for patients who had bilateral endoscopic procedures (n=5; p<0.001). Mean times to return to usual activities were 21 days and 14 days respectively (p=0.032).

The non-randomised study of 15 patients reported that wound drains remained in place for a shorter time after the endoscopic procedure compared with the open procedure (4.9 days versus 6.4 days, p=0.008).

The Specialist Advisers listed key efficacy outcomes as conversion to open procedure, length of hospital stay and time to full recovery, adequate clearance of lymph nodes and recurrence of cancer.

The non-randomised study of 15 patients treated by endoscopic or open radical inguinal lymphadenectomy reported lymphatic complications in both groups (10% [2 out of 20] versus 20% [2 out of 10], p=0.58) during 32‑month follow-up. In the endoscopic group, lymphorrhoea was reported in 1 patient and unilateral limited lymphocele (requiring 3 evacuation punctures) in 1 patient. In the open group, chronic lymphoedema was reported in 1 patient and lymphocele (which spontaneously resolved within 2 months) in 1 patient. A case series of 8 patients reported 3 patients with lymphoceles.

Skin-related complications were reported in 5% (1 out of 20) and 50% (5 out of 10) of limbs in the non-randomised study of 15 patients (30 treated limbs) treated by either endoscopic or open radical inguinal lymphadenectomy respectively (p=0.009). A case series of 5 patients reported cellulitis in 2 patients; 1 of these patients had a severe infection at the site of prior sentinel node biopsy (follow-up not stated).

Flap necrosis was reported in 6% (1 out of 16) and 44% (7 out of 16) of limbs in a non-randomised controlled study of 16 patients (32 limbs) treated by endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy or open groin node dissection respectively.

The Specialist Advisers considered theoretical adverse events to include damage to femoral vessel or femoral nerve, port-site metastasis, gas embolus, lymph leak, lymphocele and seroma.

The Committee noted that endoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy has the potential to achieve lower morbidity rates than those associated with the open procedure. They also noted that endoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy is an uncommon procedure and considered that acquisition of comparative data may therefore be difficult.