[3] The risk of the development of a lymphocele is positively correlated to the extent of the removal of lymphatic tissue during surgery (lymphadenectomy).

[5] Typical operations leading to lymphocysts are renal transplantation and radical pelvic surgery with lymph node removal because of bladder, prostatic or gynecologic cancer.

[6] Other factors that may predispose of lymphocele development are preoperative radiation therapy, heparin prophylaxis (used to prevent deep vein thrombosis), and tumor characteristics.

[1] After radical surgery for cervical and ovarian cancer studies with follow-up CT found lymphoceles in 20% and 32%, respectively.

[8] It has been suggested that suction drains placed during surgery and non-peritonisation (not closing the posterior peritoneum) may reduce the possibility of lymphocele development.