Introduction: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is an effective treatment of localized disease and can be associated with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND); in this case, lymphorrhea and the formation of lymphoceles are common complications. Studies have shown the presence of binding sites of somatostatin in human lymphatic tissue which could regulate lymphatic secretion. The aim of this work is to study a possible effect of octreotide administration in patients underwent PLND. Methods: In a prospective, double-blind, randomized study we collected data of patients who underwent Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy associated with PLND. Patients were randomly distributed into two groups, Group 1 (study group) and Group 2 (control group). Population of Group 1 underwent treatment with octreotide administered at a dose of 0.1 mg subcutaneously three times a day starting from surgery day until drainage was removed. We collected data about preoperative PSA, biopsy Gleason Score, number of lymph nodes removed, daily amount of postoperative lymphatic drainage, days of drainage, hospital stay and onset of lymphoceles. Results: 100 patients who underwent RP associated with PLND were enrolled in the study; 50 patients were allocated in the Group 1 and 50 patients in the Group 2. We found no statistical differences in the age of patients (63.7yo ± 7.3 vs 64.5yo ± 6.5; p=0,59), serum PSA levels (10.66 ng/mL ± 9.5 vs 10.8 ng/mL ± 10.8; p = 0.95) and the biopsy Gleason Score (6.78 ± 0.82 vs 6.52 ± 0.89; p=0.13) between the two groups; no significant differences were also observed in the number of lymph nodes removed (8.32 ± 4.58 vs 8.24 ± 5.14; p=0.9) and in the days of hospital stay (11.02 days ± 4.82 vs 10.6 days ± 3.83; p=0.63). Regarding the total lymphatic volume drained in post-surgery, less lymphorrhea was observed in Group 1 (190 mL/day ± 276 vs 403 mL/day ± 650; p <0.03) and a shorter timing of removal of the drainage (3.94 days ± 1.99 vs 4.98 days ± 2.97; p <0.04). Finally, we found no differences between the two groups in the possible onset of lymphoceles investigated with ultrasound scans performed on post-operative day 7 (11 vs 10, p = 0.8), 14 (18 vs 21, p=0.54) and 21 (18 vs 24, p=0.22). Conclusions: Our series shows how the administration of octreotide in patients undergoing PLND can be a useful and safe strategy to limit postoperative lymphorrhea and days of drainage stay. On the other hand, no difference was observed in the onset of lymphoceles. SOURCE OF Funding: None
