Background: The formation of post-operative lymphocele and lymphorrhea following lymph node surgery is a potentially serious complication. Until now there has been no consensus on the most effective treatment for these complications. Therefore, the aim of our clinical trial was to compare the use of polidocanol foam sclerotherapy with compression therapy to wound drainage, in the treatment of post-operative lymphoceles.
Patients and methods: Retrospectively we analysed the data of 33 consecutive surgical patients who had developed a post-operative lymphocele between 2004 and 2008. We offered all patients drainage with compression therapy or polidocanol foam sclerotherapy with 1-day compression to treat the post-operative lymphoceles.
Results: Altogether, 12 patients were treated with polidocanol foam sclerotherapy and 21 patients were treated with drainage alone. Secretion volumes declined from initial 50-350 ml/day to 0-20 ml/day at the end of the therapy. Lymphorrhea resolved much quicker (P < 0.0001) in patients treated with polidocanol foam sclerotherapy (median 4 days, mean value 6.4 days) than in those treated with drainage (median 31 days, mean value 30.2 days). None of the patients developed a major complication.
Conclusion: Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy is an effective and well-tolerated new treatment for patients with post-operative lymphoceles.