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Large fluid retention after RARP
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: May 7 6:56pm | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
the hernia seems to have been ruled out.
I am fairly certain that the problem all along was the lymphocele. One of the surgeons said it was almost as big as my bladder. I kind of wish they had drained it but I also agree that the risks outweigh any benefit and it has shrunk, possibly resolved since.
I am a little stuck with my urology practice however because of biological recurrence I am now seeing an oncologist at a major teaching hospital and will probably not be dealing with urology that much going forward.
A little background
I saw a urologist I really liked for many years .
His group practice got bought out by a large regional chain. Things really went downhill ( all the patients are treated like numbers, large waiting room, you do not always get to see the provider you want and I had a really troubling experience with a kidney stone while involved with this practice
I then tried a very renown large teaching hospital. I saw one of the urology chiefs. I was not impressed by his manner but could live with it. However when it came time to schedule the RARP he told me he was referring me to one of his colleagues. I checked out the reviews ( and I know very well that even the best docs can get some negative reviews) however, this person had many negative reviews in two of the most important areas; patient care/follow up and results
This concerned me enough that I went with a local group that had a very good reputation on both counts. I had the RARP however, patient care/follow up has been very disappointing since
Replies to "@clevelandguy the hernia seems to have been ruled out. I am fairly certain that the problem..."
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It is really too bad it got dragged out. A lymphocele is one of the known risks after RARP, if samples of lymph nodes are taken. You would think that would be the first thing to come to mind for a urologist, or even another MD after knowing you had RARP surgery.
"A lymphocele is a collection of lymphatic fluid in a body cavity, typically occurring after surgery or trauma that disrupts the lymphatic system. A lymphocele forms when lymphatic vessels are damaged or disrupted, causing lymph fluid to accumulate in a space within the body that is not lined by epithelium, unlike a true cyst or tumor (Wikipedia). It is most commonly seen after surgical procedures such as pelvic lymph node removal..."
My surgeon explained that when they remove lymph nodes during a RARP, they do not cauterize them or sew them shut. I envision a garden hose waiving around spewing lymph fluid. Normally the lymph fluid keeps draining and does not form a pocket. Some surgeons install a drain after surgery, mine does not. So, in my case lymph fluid built up in a pocket in my abdomen, started crushing my bladder (and some nerves) and got infected. By your description it sounds like the same happened to you.