Video endoscopic-assisted inguino-femoral lymphadenectomy (VEIL) in squamous cell invasive vulvar carcinoma: our initial experience

Abstract

Inguinal lymphadenectomy is a part of the surgical treatment of invasive perineal cancers and lower extremities and inferior trunk melanomas. Inguinal node metastasis represents a major prognostic factor; therefore, inguinal lymphadenectomy has a central role in oncological patient management. Nevertheless, inguinal node dissection is associated with significant morbidity such as lymphedema, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, infection, seroma, femoral hernia, and deep venous thromboembolism. Recently, several publications have reported experiences with video endoscopic-assisted techniques attempting to reduce the high morbidity related to open inguinal lymphadenectomy. The primary results are promising in terms of feasibility, oncological survey and goals, postoperative complications, and esthetic results. We discuss here our initial experience with video endoscopic inguino-femoral lymphadenectomy (VEIL) in a patient with invasive vulvar carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a bilateral VEIL in vulvar carcinoma.