IS HEPARIN CONTRAINDICATED IN PELVIC LYMPHADENECTOMY AND RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

Purpose: We initiated a prospective study to verify or refute the comp lications of lymphocele formation and excessive blood loss associated with heparin prophylaxis in pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical prostat ectomy. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was completed on 57 9 men undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy usually in association with ra dical prostatectomy. Patients were assigned to group 1 (given preopera tive and postoperative subcutaneous heparin) and group 2 (no heparin). All patients were evaluated 2 to 3 weeks after surgery with ultrasoun d for pelvic lymphocele. Results: There was no statistically significa nt difference in the number or size of pelvic lymphoceles or blood los s in group 1 versus group 2. Conclusions: The use of heparin prophylax is to prevent thromboembolic complications in conjunction with pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical prostatectomy is not associated with incre ased blood loss or increased rate of lymphocele formation.