BACKGROUND: Recurrent vulvar lymphangitis secondary to pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiation therapy can be a vexing clinical dilemma. CASE: A 55-year-old woman was initially treated with radical hysterectomy and 1 postoperative radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma in 1984. In 1987 she developed persistent vulvar, leg, and ankle edema; chronic vulvar pain; and recurrent vulvar cellulitis, which were ultimately attributed to group B Streptococcus. Despite long-term antibiotic therapy and compression stockings, the cellulitis was intractable. In June 2006 the patient underwent a bilateral simple vulvectomy with preservation of the clitoris and insertion of bilateral subcutaneous Jackson-Pratt drains. Her postoperative culture results revealed normal vaginal flora. CONCLUSION: The patient's wounds healed very well, and she has had no further episodes of vulvitis or lymphangitis. The management of recurrent infections involving lymphedema can be difficult and cause complicated clinical issues.
BACKGROUND: Recurrent vulvar lymphangitis secondary to pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiation therapy can be a vexing clinical dilemma. CASE: A 55-year-old woman was initially treated with radical hysterectomy and 1 postoperative radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma in 1984. In 1987 she developed persistent vulvar, leg, and ankle edema; chronic vulvar pain; and recurrent vulvar cellulitis, which were ultimately attributed to group B Streptococcus. Despite long-term antibiotic therapy and compression stockings, the cellulitis was intractable. In June 2006 the patient underwent a bilateral simple vulvectomy with preservation of the clitoris and insertion of bilateral subcutaneous Jackson-Pratt drains. Her postoperative culture results revealed normal vaginal flora. CONCLUSION: The patient's wounds healed very well, and she has had no further episodes of vulvitis or lymphangitis. The management of recurrent infections involving lymphedema can be difficult and cause complicated clinical issues.