Minimally invasive lymphocele drainage using the Da Vinci® single port platform: step-by- step technique

ABSTRACT Background: Reports in the literature describe lymphocele formation in up to half of patients following pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) (1) in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), with 1-2% requiring intervention (2). The advantage of surgical approach is permanent excision of the lymphocele capsule and fewer days with pelvic drains compared to percutaneous drainage. This study aims to describe the step-by-step surgical management of symptomatic lymphoceles using a less invasive robotic platform, the Da Vinci® Single Port (SP). Material and Methods: We describe the technique of lymphocelectomy and marsupialization with the Da Vinci® SP for symptomatic lymphocele. For this study, several treatment modalities for symptomatic lymphoceles were available, including percutaneous drainage, sclerosing agents, and surgical marsupialization. All the data for this study were obtained through the procedure via Da Vinci® SP. Results: Operative time for the case was 84 minutes. Blood loss was 25ml. No intra- or post- operative complications were reported. The patient had his drain removed in under 24 hours after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 7.7 months. There were no complications or lymphocele recurrence. Conclusion: Da Vinci® SP lymphocelectomy is safe and feasible with satisfactory outcomes. The SP enables definitive treatment of the lymphocele sac (3), reducing the number of days with abdominal drains and allows further decrease in surgical invasiveness with fewer incisions and better cosmesis.

Minimally invasive lymphocele drainage using the Da Vinci® single port platform: step-by- step technique.

BACKGROUND: Reports in the literature describe lymphocele formation in up to half of patients following pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) (1) in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), with 1-2% requiring intervention (2). The advantage of surgical approach is permanent excision of the lymphocele capsule and fewer days with pelvic drains compared to percutaneous drainage. This study aims to describe the step-by-step surgical management of symptomatic lymphoceles using a less invasive robotic platform, the Da Vinci® Single Port (SP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe the technique of lymphocelectomy and marsupialization with the Da Vinci® SP for symptomatic lymphocele. For this study, several treatment modalities for symptomatic lymphoceles were available, including percutaneous drainage, sclerosing agents, and surgical marsupialization. All the data for this study were obtained through the procedure via Da Vinci® SP. RESULTS: Operative time for the case was 84 minutes. Blood loss was 25ml. No intra- or post- operative complications were reported. The patient had his drain removed in under 24 hours after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 7.7 months. There were no complications or lymphocele recurrence. CONCLUSION: Da Vinci® SP lymphocelectomy is safe and feasible with satisfactory outcomes. The SP enables definitive treatment of the lymphocele sac (3), reducing the number of days with abdominal drains and allows further decrease in surgical invasiveness with fewer incisions and better cosmesis.

[Lymphocele surgical treatment in pediatric kidney transplantation]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de linfocele en trasplante renal pediátrico.

BACKGROUND: In a retrospective study, we evaluated; frequency, clinical presentation and treatment of lymphocele in pediatric patients with kidney transplant. METHODS: Between January 2004 and January 2009, we had 242 kidney transplantations, 197 from living donors and 45 from cadaveric donors. The technique was the usual, and the implants of the ureteres were by the technique Ricard modified. The treatment of lymphocele was by percutaneous punction and laparoscopic intraperitoneal drainage. RESULTS: We diagnosed lymphocele in seven patients (2.9 % with an IC95 %: 0.6- 5.2 %) one female and six males. All patients went trough percutaneous drainage. Six patients presented lymphocele recurrence at 48 to 72 hours after the drainage. Surgical laparoscopic intraperitoneal drainage was performed with success. CONCLUSIONS: Our frequency of lymphocele is the same reported in other studies (6-18 %). The treatment by laparoscopic intraperitoneal window seems to be the most appropriate in pediatric patients.

Introducción: en un estudio observacional, retrospectivo evaluamos la frecuencia, presentación clínica y tratamiento de linfocele en pacientes pediátricos con trasplante renal. Métodos: de enero de 2004 a enero de 2009 se realizaron 242 trasplantes renales, 197 de donantes vivos y 45 trasplantes de donantes cadavéricos. La técnica quirúrgica utilizada fue la habitual y la de los implantes uretrales fue la técnica Ricard modificada. El tratamiento fue por punción cutánea y drenajes internos mediante una ventana peritoneal laparoscópica. Resultados: se diagnosticaron siete pacientes con linfoceles (2.9 % con un IC 95 % 0.6-5.2 %). Una paciente del sexo femenino y seis del sexo masculino, todos fueron sometidos a drenajes por punción cutánea, seis pacientes fueron recidivados y tratados exitosamente por drenaje interno mediante una ventana peritoneal laparoscópica. Conclusiones: nuestra frecuencia es igual a la reportada en otros estudios (0.6-18 %). El drenaje interno mediante la ventana peritoneal laparoscópica parece ser lo más apropiado en pacientes pediátricos.

Influência das complicações pós-operatórias no insucesso da reconstrução de mama imediata com implante de silicone / Influence of postoperative complications on the failure of immediate breast reconstruction with silicone implants

Introdução: A reconstrução da mama imediata pós-mastectomia, com implante de silicone é um método simples, porém, pode evoluir com complicações e remoção do implante. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as complicações pós-operatórias e buscar relação entre estas e a remoção do implante. Método: No período de 4 anos, foram estudados retrospectivamente 323 casos de reconstrução de mama imediata com implante de silicone após mastectomia total realizados no Institut Gustave-Roussy, França. Resultados: A complicação mais frequente foi a linfocele (34,9%), seguida da necrose cutânea com 22,9%, da infecção com 19,3% e do hematoma, com 13,3% dos casos. A remoção do implante foi mais frequente quando ocorreu algum tipo de complicação cirúrgica e maior quando ocorreu mais de um tipo de complicação. A complicação mais frequente nos casos de remoção do implante foi a infecção (75,0%). O expansor foi o implante que mais teve relação com remoção do implante. O uso de implantes de volume acima de 300 ml teve significativamente mais risco de remoção do implante. Conclusões: 1) A presença de complicação pós-operatória foi fator de risco para a remoção do implante. 2) O risco de remoção foi maior na presença de mais de um tipo de complicação 3) A infecção foi o principal tipo de complicação que se relacionou com a remoção 4) O expansor apresentou maior risco de complicações e de remoção do implante. 5) A utilização de implantes de volume maior do que 300 ml apresentou maior risco de remoção.

Introduction: Immediate breast reconstruction with silicone implants following mastectomy is a simple method, but can develop complications culminating in implant removal. The aim of this study was to analyze postoperative complications and evaluate their correlation with implant removal. Method: In a period of 4 years, 323 cases of immediate breast reconstruction with silicone implants following total mastectomy were retrospectively studied in the Institut Gustave-Roussy, France. Results: The most frequent complication was lymphocele (34.9%), followed by cutaneous necrosis (22.9%), infection (19.3%), and hematoma (13.3%). Implant removal was more frequent when a surgical complication occurred, and even more frequent when there was more than one type of complication. The most frequent complication leading to implant removal was infection (75.0%). The expander was the implant that had the highest correlation with implant removal. The use of implants with a volume greater than 300 ml was associated with a significantly higher risk of implant removal. Conclusions: 1) The presence of postoperative complications was a risk factor for implant removal. 2) The risk of removal was higher when more than one complication was present. 3) Infection was the main type of complication associated with implant removal. 4) The expander presented a higher risk of complications and implant removal. 5) The use of implants with a volume greater than 300 ml had a greater risk of need for removal.

Laparoscopic treatment of lymphoceles after renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphocele formation following renal transplantation is a frequent complication and may affect as many as 49% of patients. Operative treatment of symptomatic post transplant lymphocele (PTL) consists of wide drainage of the fluid collection into the abdominal cavity by excising its wall, connecting the lymphocele cavity to the intraperitoneal space. Laparoscopic fenestration seems to be the best treatment as it combines satisfying success rates with a minimally invasive approach. The aim of the study was to review a single center experience on the laparoscopic treatment of symptomatic PTL and detail relevant aspects of the surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 25 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgical treatment for a symptomatic lymphocele following kidney transplantation were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data and surgical results were assessed. Detailed surgical technique is provided. RESULTS: Between 1996 and 2008, 991 patients received a kidney transplant at our institution. Twenty-five patients (2.52%) developed a symptomatic lymphocele and laparoscopic drainage was performed. The indications for surgical drainage were graft dysfunction (84%), local symptoms (16%) or both (32%). The mean time until surgical therapy was 14.2 ± 6 weeks. Mean hospital stay was 1.5 ± 0.2 days. Postoperative complications occurred in only 2 patients (8%) (one ureteral injury and one incisional hernia) and required reoperation. After a mean followup of 36.2 ± 4 months, only 1 patient had a symptomatic recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic fenestration is an effective surgical technique to treat symptomatic lymphocele following kidney transplantation with low recurrence rate and long standing results.

Laparoscopic treatment of lymphoceles after renal transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Lymphocele formation following renal transplantation is a frequent complication and may affect as many as 49% of patients. Operative treatment of symptomatic post transplant lymphocele (PTL) consists of wide drainage of the fluid collection into the abdominal cavity by excising its wall, connecting the lymphocele cavity to the intraperitoneal space. Laparoscopic fenestration seems to be the best treatment as it combines satisfying success rates with a minimally invasive approach. The aim of the study was to review a single center experience on the laparoscopic treatment of symptomatic PTL and detail relevant aspects of the surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 25 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgical treatment for a symptomatic lymphocele following kidney transplantation were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data and surgical results were assessed. Detailed surgical technique is provided. RESULTS: Between 1996 and 2008, 991 patients received a kidney transplant at our institution. Twenty-five patients (2.52%) developed a symptomatic lymphocele and laparoscopic drainage was performed. The indications for surgical drainage were graft dysfunction (84%), local symptoms (16%) or both (32%). The mean time until surgical therapy was 14.2 ± 6 weeks. Mean hospital stay was 1.5 ± 0.2 days. Postoperative complications occurred in only 2 patients (8%) (one ureteral injury and one incisional hernia) and required reoperation. After a mean follow-up of 36.2 ± 4 months, only 1 patient had a symptomatic recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic fenestration is an effective surgical technique to treat symptomatic lymphocele following kidney transplantation with low recurrence rate and long standing results.

Tratamento de linfocele inguinal pós-operatória com injeção de cola de fibrina: relato de caso / Treatment of postoperative inguinal lymphocele with fibrin glue injection: case report

O paciente desenvolveu linforragia na região inguinal direita, depois de ponte aorto-bifemoral com enxerto de dácron®. Não respondeu ao tratamento conservador com cuidados locais e compressão. Foi realizado exame de ultra-sonografia Doppler, que evidenciou grande linfocele (6,4 x 3,36 x 6,1 cm), tratada pelo esvaziamento da loja por aspiração e injeção de cola de fibrina (1,6 mL) em seu interior. O paciente se recuperou sem intercorrências e sem recidiva, após 3 meses de seguimento.

The patient developed lymphatic drainage in the right groin after an aortobifemoral bypass with Dacron® graft. Conservative treatment with local wound care and compression was unsuccessful. Duplex scan showed a 6.4 x 3.36 x 6.1 cm lymphocele, which was treated by aspiration and injection of fibrin glue (1.6 mL). The patient recovered uneventfully and without recurrence after a 3-month follow-up.

Fenestración videolaparoscópica de un linfocele sintomático posterior a un trasplante / Videolaparoscopic fenestration of symptomatic lymphocele after kidney transplation

Este trabajo tiene el objetivo de describir un caso tratado por videolaparoscopia, de un linfocele sintomático posterior a trasplante renal. Se refiere a una mujer de 54 años con insuficiencia renal crónica terminal, secundaria a hipertensión arterial severa, la cual se le realizó en el 2001 un trasplante renal de donante cadáver. Presenta, 3 meses después, molestias en la zona del trasplante, sin síntomas urinarios por la presencia de un catéter ureteral utilizado como férula y en tiempo para ser retirado. Se diagnostica un linfocele sintomático. Posterior al chequeo preoperatorio se efectúa drenaje interno por vía videolaparoscópica sin accidentes ni complicaciones quirúrgicas inmediatas y el retirado del catéter ureteral y el alta a las 24 y 48 h de la operación, respectivamente. Después de 10 meses de evolución no se ha encontrado ninguna complicación. El abordaje videolaparoscópico del linfocele sintomático posterior al trasplante renal constituye la terapéutica de elección(AU)

Laparoscopic drainage of lymphocele after kidney transplant.

Lymphocele can develop after renal transplantation. Surgical internal drainage to the abdominal cavity through a standard laparotomy is indicated for symptomatic persistent lesions. Internal drainage can be performed laparoscopically. In this report, we describe our laparoscopic surgical technique for drainage and analyze our results in five patients with lymphoceles that developed after kidney transplantation. All the patients were male, with a mean age of 29 +/- 10 years. The volume of fluid in the lymphoceles ranged from 500 to 1000 mL. Percutaneous drainage was selected as the initial treatment without success. A laparoscopic peritoneal window was created in all patients under intraoperative ultrasonographic guidance. The mean operative time was 90 minutes. In all patients, the fluid collections resolved after laparoscopic internal drainage without complications. During a mean follow-up of 3 +/- 2 years, all patients remained asymptomatic, and no additional fluid collections were identified.

Nephrotoxic acute renal failure in a renal transplant patient with recurrent lymphocele treated with povidone-iodine irrigation.

Povidone-iodine sclerosis has been suggested in the literature as a safe and effective treatment for post-renal transplant lymphoceles. No significant complications of this method have been described. We report on a kidney allograft recipient with recurrent lymphoceles treated with povidone-iodine instillations who developed acute renal failure secondary to iodine intoxication. Four days after the beginning of the povidone-iodine irrigations, metabolic acidosis was present, and renal function started to deteriorate. After a few days, despite the suspension of irrigations, the patient developed oliguria, and dialysis was needed. A renal biopsy was performed, and intense acute tubular necrosis was the only relevant finding. The lymphocele was corrected surgically, and the patient eventually recovered. As has been described in other settings, povidone-iodine instillation for the treatment of post-renal transplant lymphoceles may lead to iodine kidney toxicity and acute renal failure.

Trance surgery in Brazil.

This report presents the results of fieldwork in Brazil on healer-mediums who perform crude forms of surgery, often employing sharp instruments. We found that these healer-mediums were in a hyperaroused brain state while they were engaged in behaviors commonly described in the anthropology literature as "possession trance"; therefore, this practice is termed "trance surgery" in this report. The research was conducted at widely scattered sites throughout Brazil. We observed several thousand patients being treated by 9 trance surgeons and videotaped several hundred of these cases. In addition to background information and our own observational material, this paper includes 2 medical case reports, physiological data gathered from healers and patients, and results of a pathologist's examination of a surgically excised tumor. Topographic brain mapping revealed increased brain activity (36-44 Hz) when healer-mediums were engaged in trance behaviors, compared to resting baseline conditions at midline scalp locations (Cz, P < .009 and Pz, P < .004; both matched t tests). These results suggest the presence of a hyperaroused brain state associated with the trance behaviors of the healers. We believe that such a state is required for this unusual practice, but other factors may also be involved. In contrast, a small sample of patients monitored during possession trance surgical procedures revealed no high-frequency brain activity; instead, there were indications of cortical quieting, suggesting relaxation, despite the absence of anesthesia. Pathohistological examination of a tumor excised from a patient in our presence revealed a human fibroadenoma. We conclude that these practices are usually benign and that pain is often absent, despite the lack of sterile procedures and anesthesia. Although during the period of our investigation we were informed anecdotally of 3 cases involving serious complications or death, we personally observed no cases of shock, hemorrhage, or death. The cases presented in this paper, as well as others we have followed, suggest that serious illnesses, not likely to improve without treatment, may do so after trance surgery procedures are performed. If the major benefit of trance surgery is to initiate self-healing processes, it would have to do so in powerful ways, which possibly can be elucidated with positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. Positive findings would be helpful in understanding large-scale healing effects and may lead to new treatment protocols.

Lymphocele: a possible relationship with acute cellular rejection in kidney transplantation

CONTEXT: The incidence of lymphocele after renal transplantation varies between 0.6 and 18 percent of cases, and many factors have been associated to its etiology. Cellular rejection of the kidney allograft has been described as a possible causal factor of lymphocele. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the possible relationship between lymphocele and acute cellular rejection. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: A referral hospital center. SAMPLE: 170 patients submitted to kidney transplantation from March 1992 to January 1997. A standard technique for renal transplantation was used. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients that developed lymphocele, 16 presented at least one episode of acute cell rejection (84 percent), and were treated with methylprednisolone. The relation between lymphocele and rejection was statistically significant (p = 0.04). Treatment of lymphocele consisted of peritoneal marsupialization in 3 patients (15.3 percent), percutaneous drainage in 7 (36.8 percent), laparascopic marsupialization in 2 (10.5 percent), and conservative treatment in 7 patients (36.8percent. Evolution was favorable in 15 patients (78.9 percent), 1 patient (5.3 percent) died due to a cause unrelated to lymphocele, and 3 (15.8 percent) lost the graft due to immunological factors. The average follow-up period was 24.5 months. CONCLUSION: The high incidence of acute cell rejection in patients with lymphocele suggests a possible causal relationship between both conditions

Lymphocele: a possible relationship with acute cellular rejection in kidney transplantation.

CONTEXT: The incidence of lymphocele after renal transplantation varies between 0.6 and 18% of cases, and many factors have been associated to its etiology. Cellular rejection of the kidney allograft has been described as a possible causal factor of lymphocele. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the possible relationship between lymphocele and acute cellular rejection. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: A referral hospital center. SAMPLE: 170 patients submitted to kidney transplantation from March 1992 to January 1997. A standard technique for renal transplantation was used. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients that developed lymphocele, 16 presented at least one episode of acute cell rejection (84%), and were treated with methylprednisolone. The relation between lymphocele and rejection was statistically significant (p = 0.04). Treatment of lymphocele consisted of peritoneal marsupialization in 3 patients (15.3%), percutaneous drainage in 7 (36.8%), laparoscopic marsupialization in 2 (10.5%), and conservative treatment in 7 patients (36.8%). Evolution was favorable in 15 patients (78.9%), 1 patient (5.3%) died due to a cause unrelated to lymphocele, and 3 (15.8%) lost the graft due to immunological factors. The average follow-up period was 24.5 months. CONCLUSION: The high incidence of acute cell rejection in patients with lymphocele suggests a possible causal relationship between both conditions.

Linfocele pós-transplante renal: tratamento videolaparoscópico: relato de cinco casos e revisäo de literatura / Lymphocele post renal transplantation: videolaparoscopic treatment: report of five cases and review of the literature

Cinco pacientes submetidos a transplante renal evoluíram com linfoceles sintomáticas, quatro com hidronefrose e reduçäo da funçäo renal e um com dor e compressäo inguinal-escrotal. Foram tratados pela técnica de marsupializaçäo intraperitoneal videolaparoscópica. O tempo médio de cirurgia foi de 96 minutos (variou de45 a 210 min.) e o sangramento foi desprezível. Ocorreu em um paciente a secçäo acidental do ureter do rim transplantado, que foi tratada por cirurgia aberta, com bom resultado. Houve recidiva da linfocele em outro paciente, que foi drenada externamente com sucesso. Os pacientes receberam alta em média depois de 2,7 dias e foram acompanhados por um tempo médio de 11,4 meses, ficando todos curados

Linfocele como complicación del trasplante renal / Lymphocoele as complication of the renal transplantation

Se presenta una revisión retrospectiva de la incidencia y el manejo del linfocele en 293 trasplantes renales realizados en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica en el Hospital del Salvador, desde 1975 hasta junio de 1996. Se produjo linfocele como complicación postoperatoria en 9 pacientes (3.1 por ciento), siendo sospechado el diagnóstico por el cuadro clínico y confirmado por estudio de ultrasonido. El tratamiento par esta complicación fue: punción dirigida por ecografía en 3 casos, drenaje a cielo abierto en 2 y marsupialización laparoscópica en 4. Con las dos modalidades quirúrgicas tuvimos recurrencia que requirió reintervención, resolviéndose el problema en segunda instancia. No tuvimos complicaciones ni mortalidad derivadas de los procedimientos efectuados. Tenemos 8 (96 por ciento) pacientes con su injerto funcionante

Linfocele pós-transplante renal: análise de 24 casos e revisäo da literatura / Lymphoceles after renal transplantation: retrospective study of 24 cases and literature review

Linfoceles säo coleçöes de linfa localizadas em cavidades epitelizadas. Possivelmente resultam da secçäo de ductos linfáticos durante a cirurgia, os quais säo inadequadamente ligados ou coagulados. As linfoceles säo incomuns após o tranplante renal, com incidência relatada de 0,6 a 18 por cento dos casos. Os autores apresentam um estudo retrospectivo de 24 casos de linfocele tratados nos últimos 18 anos, revisando etiopatogenia, diagnóstico e tratamento. Concluem que linfoceles sintomáticas, ocorrendo após transplante renal säo melhor manejadas com marsupializaçäo cirúrgica e drenagem para a cavidade peritoneal. A maioria dos pacientes säo assintomáticos e as linfoceles säo achados ocasionais de ultrasonografia rotineira do enxerto renal e, consequentemente näo requerem intervençäo terapêutica