Delayed infection of a pelvic lymphocele following robotic radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy: two cases.

Pelvic lymphocele is an infrequent complication of pelvic surgery, usually presenting shortly after surgery. We report 2 cases with a delayed infected pelvic lymphocele presenting after transperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy and robotic radical prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. These cases illustrate that late infection of pelvic lymphoceles may occur following radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The practicing urologist should be aware of this possibility and look for an infected lymphocele in postoperative pelvic lymphadenectomy patients presenting with fever and leukocytosis of uncertain etiology, regardless of the time elapsed since surgery. To date, there is a paucity of data in the literature on robotic- assisted laparoscopic resection of a lymphocele after radical prostatectomy. The minimally invasive technique can be considered as a possible alternative to lymphocele percutaneous drainage. It is effective, results in minimal patient morbidity and allows for rapid recovery. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.