Laparoscopic Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection: Assessment of Intraoperative and Early Postoperative Complications

We report the significant intraoperative and early postoperative complications that occurred in 6 of our first 42 patients undergoing laparoscopic lymph node dissection (14%). The intraoperative complications were unintentional cystotomy and inability to enter the peritoneum. The early postoperative complications were deep venous thrombosis necessitating readmission (two patients), partial obturator nerve injury in one patient, and retroperitoneal abscess in one patient. It is our opinion that the complication rate of laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection will decrease as we gain more experience with this procedure.