Use of neutral plasma coagulation in groin node dissection for vulvar malignancy: a novel technique

Abstract

Thumuluru Kavitha Madhuri, Anil Tailor, Simon Butler-ManuelDepartment of Gynaecological Oncology, The Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, Surrey, UKAbstract: Vulvar cancer is an uncommon disease with approximately 1000 cases reported annually in the UK. Lymph node involvement is an important prognostic indicator. Vulvectomy and bilateral groin node dissection are the preferred surgical treatments for early disease and increase survival. However, significant morbidity with lymphocyst formation and wound breakdown has been reported in more than 50% of cases. We report the first case following use of the PlasmaJet® neutral argon coagulation system to reduce postoperative lymphocyst formation.Keywords: lymphocyst formation, wound, lymphodema