Groin dissection in the treatment of lower-extremity melanoma. Short-term and long-term morbidity.

Groin dissection was performed in 151 consecutive patients from 1970 to 1984. Groin dissections were therapeutic in 138 cases (91%) and elective in 13 (9%). One hundred forty-three patients (95%) underwent an ilioinguinal node dissection, while eight (5%) were treated with an inguinal node dissection. In 88 patients, the groin dissection was combined with isolated regional perfusion. Primary wound closure was performed in 140 patients (93%). There was no 30-day postoperative mortality. Complications included temporary seroma (26 [17%] of 151 patients), wound infection (14 patients [9%]), wound necrosis (five patients [3%]), and edema (30 patients [20%]). Residual inguinal node metastases after groin dissection did not occur. Morbidity of groin dissection did not increase when the groin dissection was combined with isolated regional perfusion. Quantification of the degree of edema in 66 patients revealed functional limitation due to edema in three patients (4.5%). This technique of groin dissection gives good results with minimal functional morbidity of the affected leg.