Complications of 125 Iodine Implantation and Pelvic Lymphadenectomy in the Treatment of Prostatic Cancer

Abstract

The operative, postoperative and late complications experienced by 300 patients who underwent 125I implantation and pelvic lymphadenectomy for localized prostatic cancer were analyzed. Of the patients reviewed 68% had clinical stage B lesions, while 32% had clinical stage C lesions. The incidence of intraoperative complications was 6%. There were 2 postoperative deaths and 23% of the patients had postoperative complications. Of 177 patients followed postoperatively for 6 mo. or more (mean 29.3 mo.) late morbidity was experienced by 49 (28%). The incidence of impotence in 109 patients who were potent preoperatively and who were followed for a minimum of 15 mo. was 7%.