In most cases, pelvic lymph node dissection does not increase the morbidity of a radical cystectomy operation.
This means that people who have a radical cystectomy with a pelvic lymph node dissection have the same out-comes from surgery as do those patients without the pelvic lymph node dissection. Rarely, a patient may develop a lymphocele. A lymphocele is a collection of lymph fluid that is normally drained through the lymphatic system. If this is very large or if it becomes infected, then it may need to be drained.
Very rarely, a nerve may be injured during the lymph node dissection. A nerve called the obturator nerve is most at risk during this procedure. The obturator nerve supplies some of the muscles of the thigh, often called the “tailor’s muscles” because they are necessary when using the foot pedal of a sewing machine. Today, these muscles are used most often while driving an automobile to move the foot from the accelerator to the brake.
Finally, there is always a theoretical risk of injury to an artery or vein during the procedure. The pelvic lymph nodes are wrapped tightly around the arteries and veins and must be carefully removed. Although injury to these vessels does occur, it should be easily repaired during the surgery.