Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy for radical management of inguinal nodes in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Inguinal lymph node involvement is an important prognostic factor in penile cancer. Inguinal lymph node dissection allows staging and treatment of inguinal nodal disease. However, it causes morbidity and is associated with complications such as lymphocele, skin loss, and infection. AIMS: To report our institutional experience with video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) for radical management of inguinal nodes in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective analysis of data of patients that underwent VEIL, by a single surgeon, from 2008 to 2015. 14 patients of penile carcinoma were suitable for VEIL technique were included in this study and followed. Data analyzed included mean operative time, mean lymph node yield, intraoperative complications, cutaneous complication, lymph-related complications, and surgical emphysema. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 57.8 years (range: 45–70 years). Mean operative time for VEIL was 194.86 min (178–210 min). Mean lymph node yield was 7.68 (range: 5–11 nodes). No intraoperative complication was experienced during series. We noted no cutaneous complications, localized lymphocele were seen in total 6 units out of 22 units (27.2%). Surgical emphysema is seen in 3 limbs (13.63%). There was significantly decreased overall morbidity in our study. Follow-up of 10 out of 14 patients with median of 48 months shows no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In our early experience, VEIL is a safe and feasible technique in patients with penile carcinoma who require radical inguinal lymphadenectomy. It allows the removal of inguinal lymph nodes within the same limits as in conventional surgical dissection and reduces surgical morbidity substantially.