Abstract

Of 284 patients evaluated for entry into the study between January 1986 and June 1990, systematic para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 208 cases (108 cervical cancer, 43 and 57 ovarian and endometrial cancer, respectively). The median number of nodes removed was 58, 49 and 54 for cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer, respectively. The operating data are divided into 2 groups according to the consecutive number of the cases. The median operating time and the median estimated blood loss of lymphadenectomy was 230 minutes (range 120–270) and 390 ml (range 200–3300) in the first 95 cases. These operating data decreased to 150 minutes (range 100–240) and 250 ml (range 100–2800) in the second 113 cases. No surgery-related deaths occurred. Severe hemor-rages (blood loss exceeding 1000 ml) occurred in 6 patients. The obturator nerve was dissected in 1 patient and in 1 case the left ureter was cut. Formation of lymphoceles occurred in 20.4% of patients. Eighteen patients (8.8%) developed deep venous thrombosis. Nine of these patients experienced pulmonary microembolism. In 3 patients a retroperitoneal abscess was diagnosed. One patient developed a fistula of the most proximal part of the right ureter during the third postoperative week. The resection or coagulation of branches of the genito-femoral and obturator nerves determined mild paresthesis localized at the supero-anterior and internal side of thigh in 11 cases (5.4%). No statistically significant differences were found between the clinical (age, weight and previous chemotherapy) and pathological (type of cancer and lymph node status) parameters considered on one hand and postoperative complications on the other.