MORBIDITY FOLLOWING GROIN DISSECTION FOR PENILE CARCINOMA

From 1962 to 1990, 231 inguinal and 174 ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomie s were performed on 234 patients with penile carcinoma. The morbidity of inguinal lymphadenectomy included wound infection in 18%, skin edge necrosis in 61%, seroma formation in 5% of dissections, and lymphoede ma in 25% of limbs. The morbidity of ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy inc luded wound infection in 14%, skin edge necrosis in 64%, seroma format ion in 9% of dissections, and lymphoedema in 29% of limbs. Pre-operati ve radiation to the groin significantly increased the healing complica tions. The routine use of a myocutaneous flap for primary reconstructi on of the groin following ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy resulted in 10 0% primary wound healing and significantly reduced the post-operative hospital stay to a mean of 10 days.