Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy and advantages of laparoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (IL) with preservation of the great saphenous vein through subcutaneous approach via umbilical cord for the treatment of penile carcinoma patients.
Methods: The data of 27 patients with penile cancer underwent the laparoscopic inguinal lymph adenectomy with preservation of the great saphenous vein through subcutaneous via umbilical cord approach in the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command from 2014 May to 2022 May were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent partial penile resection, with a pathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma and 20 cases were highly differentiated, 7 cases were moderately differentiated, with the average age was 54 ± 7.5 years old. All patients were in supine position, and a subcutaneous space was established under visualization to establish a laparoscopic operation channel. The scope of cleaning included the superficial and deep inguinal lymph nodes, while the key aspects of the procedure was the preservation of the main trunk of the great saphenous vein. The external boundary of bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection was the line between the anterior superior iliac spine and 20cm lower, the inner boundary was pubic tubercle and its 15cm medical lower measurement, and the line between the inner boundary and the external lower edge was the lower boundary.
Result: All the 27 patients were successfully completed without transfer to open surgery. The average operation time was (115 ± 26) minutes, the average blood loss during operation was (40 ± 8) ml, postoperative hospital stays was (6.8 ± 1.5) days, and postoperative drainage tube removal time was (6.4 ± 1.2) days. The average number of lymph nodes was 12.5 (5-21) on the left side, and 11.4 (2-19) on the right side. No skin necrosis and subcutaneous hematoma was occurred in all patients. Three patients had postoperative lymphatic leakage and two patients had lymphatic cysts. All patients were cured by conservation treatment. No recurrence and metastasis were occurred during 14-28 months follow up postoperatively. Conclusion： Laparoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy with preservation of the great saphenous vein through subcutaneous approach via umbilical cord can achieve the expected surgical outcome. It has some advantages of shorter operation time, less blood loss，low incidence of complication ,especially avoid skin flap necrosis and subcutaneous hematoma．.
Keywords: penile cancer; laparoscopy; inguinal lymphadenectomy, great saphenous vein..