Abstract
Between 1976 and 1982, 110 isolated regional lymph node dissections (RLND) for melanoma were performed as a prophylactic procedure (PLND) in 44 and therapeutic procedure (TLND) in 64 patients. The prevalence of metastases was 20 % in the PLND group. The number of patients with complications in the PLND were 17/44 (39 %) and in the TLND 39/64 (61 %). Local wound complications dominated. Serum collections occurred in 25 % of PLND patients and 45 % of TLND patients (p < 0.05), and infections, skin necrosis, and cellulitis in respectively 11 % and 22 %. The incidence of lymphedema was 10 % in PLND and 23 % in TLND patients. Regarding the anatomic sites, there were significantly more seromas after axillary dissection in TLND patients compared with PLND patients (p < 0.05). However, no difference was observed between groin dissections in the 2 groups. The socioeconomic effects in terms of hospital stay and further therapeutic measures were pronounced when complications occurred.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.