Effect of Mini-Dose Heparin on Lymphocele Formation Following Extraperitoneal Pelvic Lymphadenectomy

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of mini-dose heparin therapy on lymphocele formation after extraperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy, the records of 38 patients undergoing this procedure for prostatic cancer during a 24 mo. period were reviewed. All patients had a minimum of 6 mo. of followup. Lymphoceles occurred in 3 of 8 patients (38%) receiving mini-dose heparin and prolonged lymph drainage occurred in 1 other patient (12%). Only 1 of 30 patients (3%) not receiving mini-dose heparin had a lymphocele; 1 (3%) had prolonged lymph drainage. Mini-dose heparin may delay clotting of lymph and may be associated with an increased incidence of lymphocele formation after extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy.