The authors report on the complications of 58 radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy due to vulvar carcinoma. There was no operative mortality and no serious intraoperative complication was encountered. Wound disruption with or without infection was the most frequent early postoperative complication that occurred in 59% of the cases. Surgical intervention for secondary haemorrhage was necessary in 3 patients. Lymphatic fistula and lower extremity oedema developed in 3 women. The most disturbing long term complication, the persistent lower extremity oedema, occurred in 11 patients. Difficulties with micturation and vaginal prolapse developed in 4 subjects. The complication rate of this series compares favourably with the literature data. In the author's view radical vulvectomy with groin node dissection is a major operation and should be performed in oncological centers.