A comparative study of laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy [correction of laparoscopy] with the use of ultrasonically activated shears.

Objective: We evaluated the use of the harmonic scalpel in reducing the occurrence of symptomatic lymphoceles and its related complications in paraaortic laparoscopic lymphadenectomies (PALLs).

Study Design: All PALL that were performed at the Institut Claudius Regaud between January 2003 and June 2007 were included. Since January 2006, the harmonic scalpel has been used systematically for all lymphostasis.