Treatment of Recurrent Inguinal Lymphocele by Lymphatic Leakage Mapping and Subsequent Ligation of Lymphatic Vessel Endings: A Case Report

Background. Different approaches have been attempted in both prophylaxis and treatment of recurrent inguinal lymphoceles; however, to date none have been consistently effective. We hereby report our preliminary experience with mapping of the lymphatic leakage followed by ligation of these mapped vessels for resolution of a recurrent inguinal lymphocele. Case. A 73-year-old woman underwent an anterior modified radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinofemoral lymph node dissection due to squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. Postoperatively she presented with a recurrent inguinal lymphocele unresponsive to several treatment measures. After 8 weeks, the patient underwent lymphatic leakage mapping and subsequent ligation of lymphatic vessel endings, which resolved her recurrent lymphocele. Conclusion. Lymphatic mapping and ligation of afferent lymphatics may be a useful method for treating recurrent lymphoceles after inguinofemoral lymph node dissection. Further studies are warranted to prove the absolute efficacy of this technique.