# Percutaneous Sclerotherapy of Postoperative Lymphoceles: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Different Sclerosant Agents

## TL;DR

This study compares different agents used in a procedure to treat post-surgery lymphoceles, finding ethanol to be the most effective and well-supported option.

## Contribution

The study provides a meta-analysis comparing success rates and safety of various sclerosant agents for treating lymphoceles.

## Key findings

- Ethanol showed high success rates (97.4%) and low recurrence (6.7%) in treating lymphoceles.
- Other agents like povidone-iodine and doxycycline had similar outcomes but with lower evidence certainty.
- Complications were rare and mostly minor, with only two major complications reported across all studies.

## Abstract

This study aims to provide a meta-analysis of relevant outcomes related to various sclerosant agents used in percutaneous lymphocele sclerotherapy.

A systematic review, registered on PROSPERO (Record CRD420251180687), was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including studies reporting any kind of postoperative lymphoceles treated with a sclerosant agent. Searches were updated to November 2025. Pooled success, recurrence, and complication rates were estimated for each sclerosant agent, and differences across agents were explored. The risk of bias was assessed using Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, while the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Sixteen studies were included—fifteen retrospective and one prospective—reporting on different sclerosant agents: ethanol, povidone-iodine, OK-432, fibrin glue, polidocanol, and doxycycline. A total of 335 lymphoceles were studied. Ethanol showed the most consistent results, with high clinical success (97.4%, 95% CI 82.6–99.7%) and low recurrence rates across the studies (6.7%, 95% CI 3.1–14.2%). The other sclerosant agents yielded similar results but with a lower grade of evidence certainty. Minor complication rates were low (12.2%), consisting predominantly of mild and self-limiting adverse events; only two major complications were reported. Limitations were heterogeneity among studies and predominance of retrospective designs.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy yielded favorable results with all agents; however, ethanol is the best-characterized agent, with consistent outcomes and moderate certainty of evidence. High-quality, prospective research is needed in order to choose the best sclerosant agent and standardize the procedure.

Level IV, systematic review of retrospective non-comparative studies.