Percutaneous Sclerotherapy with OK-432 for Lymphocele after Pelvic or Para-aortic Lymphadenectomy: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Abstract Background: Lymphoceles result from disruption of lymphatic vessels after pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Percutaneous catheter drainage with sclerotherapy can be performed for the treatment of lymphoceles. OK-432 has been used to treat for benign cysts, such as lymphangioma and ranula. Therefore, we aimed to report the efficacy and safety of sclerotherapy using OK-432 for postoperative lymphoceles. This study retrospectively analyzed 16 patients who underwent sclerotherapy using OK-432 for postoperative pelvic and para-aortic lymphoceles between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2020. All the patients underwent percutaneous drainage before sclerotherapy. The indications for sclerotherapy were persistent drainage tube output of greater than 50 mL per day and recurrent lymphoceles after percutaneous drainage. If less than 20 mL per day was drained after sclerotherapy, the tube was removed. When the drainage tube output did not decrease to less than 20 mL per day after the first sclerotherapy, the second OK-432 injection was performed 1 week later. Technical success was defined as the completion of drainage and sclerotherapy procedures. Clinical success was defined as the resolution of the patient’s symptoms resulting from lymphoceles without surgical intervention. This study also evaluated the complications of sclerotherapy and their progress after sclerotherapy.Results: The mean initial lymphocele size and drainage duration after sclerotherapy were 616 mL and 7.1 days, respectively. The technical success rate and clinical success rate were 100% and 93%, respectively. Three patients were treated by two-session sclerotherapy. Minor complications were observed in eight patients, who presented with fever. A major complication was observed in one patient, who presented with a small bowel fistula. No recurrence of lymphoceles was observed during the mean follow-up period of 17 months. Conclusion: Sclerotherapy with OK-432 is an effective therapeutic method for postoperative lymphoceles.