SKIN EXCISION AND GROIN LYMPHADENECTOMY: TECHNIQUES AND OUTCOMES

Abstract

A 10-year retrospective review of 25patients undergoing groin lymphadenectomyfor cutaneous malignancy in the Taysideregion of the UK was conducted. Comparisonwas made between patients undergoing theprocedure with an elliptical incision orientatedas a long oblique of at least 4cm width (group1) and those undergoing a similarly orientedincision with no skin excision (group 2).Outcome measures including survival, postoperativecomplications, operative time andhospital stay were analyzed. Patients in group1 suffered significantly fewer complications(p <0.004) and shorter hospital stay (p <0.008).Elliptical excision of at least 4cm width is ourpreferred technique for groin lymphadenectomyin the treatment of cutaneous malignancy ofthe lower limb.