Postoperative morbidity of lymph node excision for cutaneous melanoma-sentinel lymphonodectomy versus complete regional lymph node dissection.

For patients with melanoma metastasis to a sentinel lymph node, subsequent complete regional lymph node dissection (CLND) is currently regarded to be the surgical standard. This approach, however, has not been confirmed by controlled studies, so that surgical morbidity is of primary importance. Using clinical examination and a questionnaire, we determined morbidity in 315 patients with axillary or inguinal lymph node excision on whom 275 sentinel lymphonodectomies (SLNEs) and 90 CLNDs were performed. The overall incidence of at least one complication following SLNE was 13.8%. The short-term complication rate was 11.3% (allergic reaction to blue dye 0%, wound breakdown 0%, haematoma 2.5%, wound infection 3.6%, seroma 6.9%). The incidence of long-term complications was 4.1% (persistent tattoo 0.4%, functional deficit 0.4%, nerve dysfunction/pain 0.7% or swelling 2.5%). All complications were mild. Significantly, the complication rate was not higher for patients aged 70 years or older. After CLND, the overall complication rate was significantly higher (65.5%, P<0.000001). The incidence of short-term complications was 50% (haematoma 0%, wound breakdown 6.7%, wound infection 24.7% or seroma 34.8%). The incidence of long-term complications was also 50% (nerve dysfunction/pain 8.9%, functional deficit 16.8%, swelling 37.1%). Overall, inguinal lymph node excision was burdened by a higher complication rate (P=0.015). Age and sex did not influence postoperative morbidity. No deaths linked to either procedure were noted. Complication rates after SLNE are low and most complications are minor and short-lasting. In contrast, CLND has been demonstrated to be a major and potentially morbid surgical procedure. This highlights the importance of testing the therapeutic value that CLND adds to the sentinel lymph node procedure.