Massive lymphocele following pelvic lymphadenectomy for staging of prostatic cancer.

Two patients developed massive pelvic lymphoceles within 30 days of retroperitoneal node dissection for staging of prostatic cancer. Excised lymph nodes were negative for metastases. Both patients developed severe bilateral peripheral edema, and one developed pulmonary thromboembolism from intraluminal thrombi in the adjacent, compressed inferior vena cava. Each patient responded to unroofing of the cyst wall with either concomitant external or internal drainage.