Videoscopic inguinal-iliac-obturator lymph-node dissection: New videoscopic technique for regional lymphadenectomy in patients with melanoma

Aim: The feasibility of videoscopic inguinal-iliacobturator lymphadenectomy (VIIOL) was assessed in 20 patients with melanoma and compared with a retrospective sample of 24 patients undergoing standard 'open' technique (IIOL). Results: No postoperative death occurred; the mean operative time was lower in the IIOL series (190 min vs. 302 min) but the quality of life was greatly improved in the VIIOL group thanks to earlier bladder catheter removal, no nasogastric suction, less pain, earlier mobilization, lower inhospital stay, and earlier resumption of daily activities (27.6 vs. 83.2 days, p<0.001). Six out of 20 patients in the IIOL series had wound complications (30%) as compared to one in the VIIOL series (4%) (p=0.035). Conclusion: Staging and therapeutic efficacy of VIIOL were similar to the standard technique; the longer operative time of VIIOL was greatly compensated by less pain, lower wound complication rate, and earlier discharge from hospital and recovery of daily activities.