Early postoperative discharge following radical vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy for vulvar carcinoma

摘要

Currently, no robust evidence exists for the optimal period for maintaining the suction drainage in the groin incisions for women who undergo inguinal lymphadenectomy for vulvar carcinoma. In many cases, this may take more than 2 weeks. Some authorities advocate early drain removal at 72 h after surgery, but this approach is associated with increased risk of lymphocyst formation. We attempted to discharge women with suction drains in situ within 48 to 72 h following the surgery. Four patients that underwent vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy for vulval cancer were discharged home within 48 to 72 h postoperatively with suction drains in situ. The mean age was 61.5 years. The average number of groin lymph nodes removed was 9.12 per patient. Only one patient had nodes positive for disease (bilaterally). Drains were removed within 7 to 10 days following the discharge. Wound healing was satisfactory in all cases. No cases of wound breakdown were recorded. There was only one case of a small lymphocyst (3 cm) that resolved spontaneously within 8 weeks. Early postoperative discharge with suction drains in situ appears safe for women that undergo inguinal lymphadenectomy for vulvar carcinoma.