ABSTRACT
Lymphocele has been reported after a variety of different procedures. Typically, it occurs after pelvic lymphadenectomy or renal transplantation but has also been observed after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy or aortic graft placement. Etiologic factors associated with lymphocele development include transected lymphatics, increased lymphatic flow, delayed healing, or deficiencies with the intrinsic clotting mechanism. Specifically, these include prior radiotherapy, extensive dissection, lack of peritoneal communication, reoperations, and the administration of perioperative minidose heparin, diuretics, high-dose steroid medication, or immunosuppressants. The surgical approach, the number of transected lymphatics around renal grafts, and transplant rejection episodes are also factors associated with the development of lymphocele (1-4) Whatever the causative agent(s), the result is accumulation of lymphatic fluid in an epithelialized, confined space, which may or may not result in symptoms.
