Osteocutaneous superficial circumflex iliac perforator flap for the lower extremity bone and soft tissue reconstruction with perforator-to-perforator anastomosis after radical debridement of tibia osteomyelitis: A case report.

Reconstruction of soft tissue and bone defects in tibia chronic osteomyelitis is challenging and often managed by free flap with bone graft. However, the use of osteocutaneous free flap combined with perforator-to-perforator anastomosis has not been reported. We report the case of a 62-year-old man presenting with soft tissue and bone defects with right tibial chronic osteomyelitis, which was successfully treated with an osteocutaneous superficial circumflex iliac perforator (SCIP) flap with perforator-to-perforator anastomosis. After radical debridement and excision of the sequestrum, a 17 × 10-cm skin defect and a 4 × 3-cm bone defect remained. An osteocutaneous SCIP flap, containing a 16 × 9-cm skin paddle and 4 × 2-cm iliac bone, was transferred and anastomosed to the posterior tibial perforator in an end-to-end fashion. An artificial dermis was placed to cover the soft tissue. At 1 week postoperatively, the artificial dermis was partially infected, which required small debridement. Full weight-bearing was permitted 5 weeks postoperatively, and the patient walked independently. No evidence of recurrence of osteomyelitis or skin ulcers was observed at 15 months postoperatively. Therefore, osteocutaneous SCIP flap with perforator-to-perforator anastomosis may be a potential alternative treatment for soft tissue and bone defects after radical debridement of tibia osteomyelitis.

A rare truncal collateral lymph drainage pathway seen on indocyanine green lymphography in patients with secondary lower limb lymphedema.

Objective: Although collateral lymphatic vessels are known to develop in patients with lymphedema, little is known about their significance. In this study, we investigated truncal collateral lymphatic drainage pathways in patients with lower limb lymphedema using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. Methods: The ICG fluorescence images and clinical characteristics of 80 consecutive patients (160 lower limbs) with secondary leg lymphedema who underwent ICG lymphography between September 2020 and September 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Seven patients were identified to have a truncal collateral lymphatic drainage pathway starting in the lateral abdomen and running in the direction of the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes. These patients had particularly severe symptoms of lymphedema around the thigh or abdominal region or had genital lymphedema. Conclusions: A truncal collateral lymphatic drainage pathway may be associated with severe lower limb lymphedema, particularly if involving the genitals.

Peripheral T cell profiling reveals downregulated exhaustion marker and increased diversity in lymphedema post-lymphatic venous anastomosis.

Lymphedema is a progressive condition accompanying cellulitis and angiosarcoma, suggesting its association with immune dysfunction. Lymphatic venous anastomosis (LVA) can provide relief from cellulitis and angiosarcoma. However, the immune status of peripheral T cells during lymphedema and post-LVA remains poorly understood. Using peripheral blood T cells from lymphedema, post-LVA, and healthy controls (HCs), we compared the profile of T cell subsets and T cell receptor (TCR) diversity. PD-1+ Tim-3 + expression was downregulated in post-LVA compared with lymphedema. IFN-γ levels in CD4+PD-1+ T cells and IL-17A levels in CD4+ T cells were downregulated in post-LVA compared with lymphedema. TCR diversity was decreased in lymphedema compared with HCs; such TCR skewing was drastically improved in post-LVA. T cells in lymphedema were associated with exhaustion, inflammation, and diminished diversity, which were relieved post-LVA. The results provide insights into the peripheral T cell population in lymphedema and highlight the immune modulatory importance of LVA.

Cystic Lymphatic Malformation with Lymphedema Treated by Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis Combined with Ethanol Sclerotherapy.

The incidence of cystic lymphatic malformation (CL) in an extremity is very rare. CL can be a cause of lymphedema in a lower limb. The most effective treatment for CL is sclerotherapy or excision; however, these treatments have the potential to cause fibrosis and obliteration of ruptured lymphatic vessels, which impairs lymphatic drainage and increases the risk of lymphedema. Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) combined with sclerotherapy may be a minimally invasive treatment option for CL in a lower limb. In this report, we describe a patient with CL complicated by lymphedema in a lower extremity, who we treated using LVA and ethanol sclerotherapy with satisfactory results. The patient was a 60-year-old man with a CL measuring 16 cm in diameter in the thigh region above the knee with lower limb lymphedema. The percentage of excess volume of the affected lower leg was 24.7%, preoperatively. Combined treatment using LVA with sclerotherapy was performed under general anesthesia. At 2 years after surgery, the reduction of excess volume of affected lower leg between preoperative and postoperative was 85.4%. In our previous report, the same combination therapy was used to treat CL and prevent lymphedema; however, in the present case, it was used to treat CL and lymphedema at one stage. LVA combined with sclerotherapy is a complementary minimally invasive treatment for CL accompanied by lymphedema.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Liposuction for Lower Limb versus Upper Limb Lymphedema.

OBJECTIVE: Liposuction is the most frequently performed debulking procedure in patients with lymphedema. However, it remains uncertain whether liposuction is equally effective for upper extremity lymphedema (UEL) and lower extremity lymphedema (LEL). In this study, we retrospectively compared the effectiveness of liposuction according to whether it was performed for LEL or UEL, and identified factors associated with outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients had been treated at least once by lymphovenous anastomosis or vascularized lymphatic transplant before liposuction but without sufficient volume reduction. The patients were divided into an LEL group and a UEL group, and then subdivided further according to whether they completed their planned compression therapy into an LEL compliance group, an LEL non-compliance group, a UEL compliance group, and a UEL non-compliance group. The reduction rates in LEL (REL) and in UEL (REU) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: In total, 28 patients with unilateral lymphedema were enrolled (LEL compliance group, n = 12; LEL non-compliance group, n = 6; UEL compliance group, n = 10; UEL non-compliance group, n = 0). The non-compliance rate was significantly higher in the LEL group than in the UEL group (p = 0.04). REU was significantly higher than REL (100.1 ± 37.3% vs. 59.3 ± 49.4%; p = 0.03); however, there was no significant difference between REL in the LEL compliance group (86 ± 31%) and REU in the UEL group (101 ± 37%) (p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Liposuction seems to be more effective in UEL than in LEL, probably because the compression therapy required for management after liposuction is easier to implement for UEL. The lower pressure and smaller coverage area required for postoperative management after liposuction in the upper limb may explain why liposuction is more effective in UEL than in LEL.

Simultaneous bilateral distal venous arterialization between redial artery and cephalic vein in dorsal hand for Raynaud's phenomenon in both hands: A case report.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterized by episodic vasospasm in peripheral vessels and ischemia of the fingers. Venous arterialization is thought to induce neovascularization and increased oxygen tension. In this report, we describe a patient with RP in the fingers of both hands in whom venous arterialization achieved an acceptable result in both hands. The patient was a 62-year-old woman with a 10-year history of worsening pain and cold sensation in the tips of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers on both sides. The venous arterialization procedure was performed on both hands simultaneously at the level of the anatomical snuff box between radial artery and cephalic vein in dorsal hand. There was no need for valvectomy in the level of hands. To prevent development of the steal phenomenon in the arterialized veins, the superficial basilic and median veins of the forearm were ligated via 1 cm skin incisions. The pain and cold sensation in the fingertips of both hands remained decreased, and the nonhealing ulcers on the fingertips healed without the need for amputation. The observation period was 14 months, and the surface temperature of the fingers was increased after venous arterialization, as was the temperature of the palm and forearm. There was no problem when administering intravenous infusion into the forearm on either side postoperatively. The case showed venous arterialization was effective for RP without increasing intravenous pressure in the affected limb, and further investigation is necessary.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema before and after lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a measure of lymphedema has been gaining popularity because of its measurement simplicity and noninvasiveness. This study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of BIA for assessment of the outcomes of lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. METHODS: This study involved 25 patients with unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema who underwent LVA. Segmental multifrequency BIA and conventional circumferential volume measurement were performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively from June 2018 to June 2021 at Hiroshima University Hospital International Center for Lymphedema. The patients' clinicopathological data, operative details, and preoperative and postoperative BIA results were investigated. RESULTS: Segmental multifrequency BIA and circumferential volume measurement were strongly correlated in the lymphedema-affected upper limb both before and after LVA. The interlimb volume, interlimb extracellular water ratio (r = 0.784; P < .001), and interlimb extracellular water/total body water ratio were positively correlated (r = 0.612; P < .01), whereas the phase angle was negatively associated (r = -0.556; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Segmental multifrequency BIA can be a useful tool for assessing the severity of lymphedema and monitoring the outcomes of LVA.

Correlation between Lymphatic Surgery Outcome and Lymphatic Image-Staging or Clinical Severity in Patients with Lymphedema.

Lymphoscintigraphy and indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography reveal the severity of extremity lymphedema. Lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) index and NECST classification are related to the clinical severity of lymphedema. We aimed to investigate the correlation between lymphatic surgery, lymphatic imaging, and clinical severity in patients with lymphedema. Thirty-five patients with lower-extremity lymphedema who underwent lymphatic venous anastomosis (LVA) were evaluated. Ten of the thirty-five patients underwent multi-surgery (additional vascularized lymphatic transfer and/or liposuction). We investigated the correlation between the LEL index, NECST classification, lymphoscintigraphy staging, ICG lymphography staging, and rate of improvement (RI: [preoperative LEL index − postoperative LEL index]/[preoperative LEL index] × 100). The LEL index in 35 patients after LVA and all procedures decreased significantly compared to that of preoperative (272.4 vs. 256.2 vs. 243.5, p < 0.05). RI after LVA and all procedures showed positive correlations with the preoperative LEL index; however, there was no correlation with any other lymphatic image or clinical severity. LVA can reduce lymphedema circumference at any stage. Additional surgery improved the circumference. Hence, LVA as the first line of treatment, and vascularized lymphatic transfer and liposuction as additional procedures, should be considered as the standard treatment for lymphedema.

Combined Treatment with Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis and Ethanol Sclerotherapy for Cystic Lymphangioma in a Limb.

Several treatment options, including sclerotherapy and surgical excision, are available for the management of cystic lymphangioma. Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) has recently garnered attention in the field of microsurgery as a minimally invasive surgical reconstruction strategy. Combined treatment using surgical excision and LVA for large or persistent cystic lymphatic malformations has been reported but can be very invasive. This case report describes use of a combination of LVA and sclerotherapy to treat cystic lymphatic malformations with satisfactory results. This combination could be a complementary minimally invasive treatment for extensive cystic lymphatic malformations. The patient was an 18-year-old woman with a cystic lymphangioma from the axilla to the subclavicular area beneath pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. The size was a diameter of 12 cm and a maximum depth of 8 cm. The cystic lymphangioma was managed by combined treatment of LVA and ethanol sclerotherapy. The patient had subsequent resolution of the lymphangioma without any symptoms of lymphedema or recurrence. LVA is thought to be a less invasive treatment option when the lymphatics flowing into a cyst are detectable or can be targeted. However, this is not always the case, especially if the cyst is large, persistent, or infected. Combination of LVA with sclerotherapy is a relatively less invasive method with closure of the dead space using sclerotherapy without further exacerbation or occurrence of lymphedema. Therefore, combined treatment using LVA with sclerotherapy can be a complementary minimally invasive treatment option for a large or persistent lymphocele.

Supermicrosurgical lymphatic venous anastomosis for intractable lymphocele after great saphenous vein harvesting graft.

Lymphoceles result from either trauma to the lymphatic vessels or after vein graft harvest, which occurs in 10% to 16% of patients. When a lymphocele persists despite conservative treatment, patients can experience undue distress. We have reported the case of successful treatment using lymphatic venous anastomosis (LVA) of an intractable lymphocele that had been refractory to conservative treatment, including stretch bandaging, drainage, and local injection for 2 years after great saphenous vein harvest. The lymphocele resolved shortly after the LVA without any adverse effects. LVA can be a useful and minimally invasive alternative treatment of lymphocele after harvesting the great saphenous vein.

Effect of Postoperative Compression Therapy on the Success of Liposuction in Patients with Advanced Lower Limb Lymphedema.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited information on postoperative care after liposuction for lymphedema limb. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the threshold compression pressure and other factors that lead liposuction for lower limb lymphedema to success. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were divided according to whether they underwent compression therapy with both stockings and bandaging (SB group), stockings alone (S group), or bandaging alone (B group) for 6 months after liposuction. The postoperative compression pressure and rate of improvement were compared according to the postoperative compression method. We also investigated whether it was possible to decrease the compression pressure after 6 months. Liposuction was considered successful if improvement rate was >15. RESULTS: Mean compression pressure was significantly lower in the S group than in the SB group or B group. The liposuction success rate was significantly higher in the SB group than in the B group or S group. There was not a significant difference between the values at 6 months after liposuction and at 6 months after a decrease in compression pressure in the successful group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that stable high-pressure postoperative compression therapy is key to the success of liposuction for lower limb lymphedema and is best achieved by using both stockings and bandages. The postoperative compression pressure required for liposuction to be successful was >40 mmHg on the lower leg and >20 mmHg on the thigh. These pressures could be decreased after 6 months.

Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis for Age-Related Lymphedema.

INTRODUCTION: Primary lymphedema is usually caused by intrinsic disruption or genetic damage to the lymphatics but may also be the result of age-related deterioration of the lymphatics. The aims of this study were to determine the characteristics of age-related lymphedema and to assess the effectiveness of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in its treatment. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with primary lymphedema affecting 150 lower limbs were divided into three groups according to whether the age of onset was younger than 35 years, 35-64 years, or 65 years or older. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was performed, followed by LVA surgery. ICG lymphography images were visually classified according to whether the pattern was linear, low enhancement (LE), distal dermal backflow (dDB), or extended dermal backflow (eDB). The lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) index score was calculated before and after LVA. Lymphatic vessel diameter and detection rates were also recorded. RESULTS: In the ≥65 group, the lymphedema was bilateral in 54 patients and unilateral in 1 patient. There was statistically significant deterioration in the LEL index score with progression from the linear, LE, dDB through to the eDB pattern in the ≥65 group. The lymphatic vessel diameter was significantly greater in the ≥65 group. The rate of improvement was highest in the ≥65 group. CONCLUSION: Age-related lymphedema was bilateral and deterioration started distally. The lymphatic vessels in patients with age-related lymphedema tended to be ectatic, which is advantageous for LVA and may increase the improvement rate.