MALIGNANT LYMPHOCYST AFTER WERTHEIM OPERATION

Lymphocyst is a well-known complication after Wertheim's operation with an incidence varying from 2 to 20%. The majority are asymptomatic. However, when complications occur, the symptoms depend on the location and the pressure effects created. Most of the lymphocysts occur within 1 year after surgery and need to be differentiated from a hematoma or urinoma. At present, there is no standard management of early lymphocysts. Conservative management, ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, or percutaneous insertion of an indwelling catheter have been successfully employed. Intraperitoneal marsupilization with or without omental falp is also highly effective. When pelvic lymphocysts occur later than normal, the diagnostic dilemma is to differentiate benign collections from those involving recurrent tumor. Fineneedle biopsy of the cyst wall under ultrasound guidance is more effective in identifying recurrence than cytological evaluation of the fluid. Nonetheless, if such facility is not readily available, surgical drainage and excision of the cyst wall should be considered to ensure early diagnosis of recurrence. © 1992.