Risk Factors Associated with Adverse Outcomes after Ablative Surgery for Lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: Postmastectomy breast cancer lymphedema poses an important health threat. Historically, physical therapy was the exclusive treatment option. More recently, lymphedema surgery has revolutionized care. As a first-in-kind, multicenter report, the postmastectomy breast cancer patients' risk factors associated with postlymphedema ablative surgical outcomes were documented. METHODS: Using the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database from 2010 to 2018, multivariable models identified the postmastectomy breast cancer lymphedema surgical patients' characteristics associated with major adverse outcomes and mortality. RESULTS: Of 65,543 postmastectomy breast cancer patients, 1,052 lymphedema surgical procedures were performed including 393 (37.4%) direct excisions and 659 (63.6%) liposuctions. Direct excision and liposuction surgical patients had median ages of 58 and 52 years, respectfully (p < 0.001). Although a 30-day operative mortality was rare (0.3%, all direct excisions), major adverse outcomes occurred in 154 patients (28.5% direct excision; 6.4% liposuction; p < 0.0001). Multivariable clinical outcomes model identified that patients with higher Elixhauser's score, renal disease, emergent admissions, and direct excision surgery had higher incidences of adverse outcomes (all p < 0.01). For those patients with 30-day readmissions (n = 60), they were more likely to have undergone direct excision versus liposuction (12.5 vs. 1.7%; p < 0.0001). The important risk factors predictive of future cellulitis/lymphangitis development included diabetes mellitus, Medicaid insurance, renal disease, prior cellulitis/lymphangitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic steroid use (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Lymphedema surgery carries a favorable risk profile, but better understanding the "high-risk" patients is critical. As this new era of lymphedema surgery progresses, evaluating the characteristics for adverse postoperative outcomes is an important step in our evolution of knowledge.

Long-term patency of multiple lymphatic-venous anastomoses in cancer-related lymphedema: A single center observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Lymphedema is always initially treated by combined decongestive physiotherapy (CDP). Those cases, refractory to CDP, may be managed by surgical therapy. One of the most used microsurgical procedures is represented by the technique of lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA). But very few papers report long term results of LVA. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term patency of multiple lymphatic-venous anastomosis (MLVA) for the treatment of secondary lymphedemas. METHODS: From January 2014 to December 2014, 101 patients (mean age: 56.94 ± 8.98 years; female/male: 86/15) affected by secondary cancer-related lymphedema (38 lower and 63 upper limbs) were treated by MLVA. All lymphedemas had previously been treated by conservative therapy without sustained results. Many patients (78%) had 1-3 episodes of acute lymphangitis/year. Lymphoscintigraphy, venous duplex-ultrasonography, and abdominal or axillary ultrasound investigation were performed preoperatively. MLVA patency was assessed by the lymphatic transport index (LyTI) and lymphoscintigraphic pattern. RESULTS: At 1 year after surgery, excess volume reduction was 75%-90% in the early stage II secondary lymphedemas, and 60%-75% in the late stage II. The decrease in volume maintained stability in the 5-years follow-up period. Two more advanced lower and one upper limb lymphedemas had 45%-60% reduction. LyTI showed a significant decrease between the preoperative mean value (31.7 ± 9.43) and after 18 months from surgery (11.2 ± 1.91) (p < .001). MLVA patency was shown in 98 (97%) patients. No patients had evidence of postoperative lymphangitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the long-term patency of MLVA in the treatment of cancer-related lymphedemas.

Terapia descongestiva como complemento a la cirugía de anastomosis linfáticovenosas y transferencia de linfonodos vascularizados: Una revisión de la literatura / Decongestive therapy as an adjunct to lymphatic-venous anastomosis surgery and vascularized lymph node transfer: A review of the literature

Resumen Introducción: El linfedema es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica que afecta cerca de 250 millones de personas en el mundo. El tratamiento tradicional es la terapia descongestiva. Últimamente, existe la opción de complementar el tratamiento tradicional con procedimientos quirúrgicos fisiológicos como anastomosis linfáticovenosas y transferencia de linfonodos vascularizados. Sin embargo, la evidencia del uso de la terapia descongestiva en los cuidados pre y posoperatorios en estas cirugías es limitada. Objetivo: Evaluar el uso de terapia descongestiva como complemento a la cirugía de linfedema mediante anastomosis linfáticovenosas y transferencia de linfonodos vascularizados. Materiales y Método: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura en las siguientes bases de datos: Cochrane, Pubmed y Google académico, utilizando los siguientes términos mesh: "anastomosis, surgical", "lymphedema", "perioperative care", "microsurgery", "rehabilitation", "therapy", "lymph nodes", "bypass", "lymphedema and microsurgery". Se incluyó aquellos artículos que describían el uso de la terapia descongestiva en los cuidados pre- y posoperatorios. Resultados: Se identificó un total de 201 artículos y 12 fueron incluidos en el análisis. La evidencia reporta que las terapias más usadas en el cuidado pre- y posoperatorio son compresión, drenaje linfático manual y tratamientos personalizados. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los autores hace una descripción vaga de las terapias mencionadas. Discusión y Conclusión: La evidencia respecto al uso de terapia descongestiva como tratamiento complementario es débil. Los expertos recomiendan su uso, sin embargo, se necesitan futuras investigaciones que describan el uso de cada uno de sus componentes como complemento de procedimientos quirúrgicos fisiológicos para el manejo del linfedema.

Background: Lymphedema is a disease that affects about 250 million people around the world. The traditional treatment is decongestive therapy. In the past years, there is the option to complementing the traditional treatment with physiological surgical procedures such as lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT). However, the evidence for the use of decongestive therapy in pre- and post-operative care in these surgeries is limited. Aim: To evaluate the use of decongestive therapy as a complement to lymphedema surgery such a lymphatic-venous anastomosis and transfer of vascularized lymph nodes. Materials and Method: A literature review was carried out in the following databases: Cochrane, Pubmed and Academic Google, using the following mesh terms: "anastomosis, surgical", "lymphedema", "perioperative care", "microsurgery", "rehabilitation", "therapy", "lymph nodes","bypass", "lymphedema and microsurgery". "Those articles that described the use of decongestive therapy in pre- and post-operative care were included. Results: 201 articles were identified and 12 were included in the analysis. The evidence reports that the most used therapies in pre- and post-operative care are compression, manual lymphatic drainage and personalized treatments. However, most of the authors give a vague description of the mentioned therapies. Discussion and Conclusion: The evidence regarding the use of decongestive therapy as a complementary treatment is weak. Experts recommend its use; however, future research is needed to describe the use of each of its components as a complement to physiological surgical procedures for the management of lymphedema.

Malformaciones linfáticas periorbitarias: A propósito de 2 casos / Periorbital lymphatic malformations: Report of two cases

Introducción. Las malformaciones linfáticas periorbitarias son una entidad poco frecuente cuyo diagnóstico y tratamiento puede suponer un reto para el cirujano. El manejo puede ser conservador, o pueden tratarse mediante escleroterapia, cirugía o combinación de ambas. Observación clínica. Presentamos dos casos de malformaciones linfáticas periorbitarias tratadas mediante escleroterapia (con OK-432 o bleomicina) y cirugía con buenos resultados y mínima morbilidad. Comentarios. La combinación de cirugía y escleroterapia es una buena opción de tratamiento de las malformaciones linfáticas periorbitarias; ya que nos permite ser más conservadores en la exéresis de las mismas y, por ello, las secuelas son menores

Introduction. Periorbital lymphatic malformations are a rare entity in which diagnosis and treatment could be a challenge for surgeons. Management may be conservative, or they can be treated by sclerotherapy, surgery or combination of both. Clinic observation. We present two cases of periorbital lymphatic malformations treated by sclerotherapy (OK-432 or bleomycin) and surgery in which we achieve good results with minimum morbidity. Comments. Surgery combined with sclerotherapy is a good option of treatment for periorbital lymphatic malformations because surgery can be more conservative and therefore, sequelae are lower

Focal intestinal lipogranulomatous lymphangitis in 6 dogs (2008-2011).

BACKGROUND: Lipogranulomatous lymphangitis is inflammation of the intestinal lymphatic vessels and surrounding tissues caused by chronic leakage of lipid-laden chyle. Grossly, lipogranulomas are typically disseminated small masses on the serosa and surrounding lymphatic vessels and consist of epithelioid macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and cholesterol. Lipogranulomatous lymphangitis is occasionally seen in patients with lymphangiectasia and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). OBJECTIVES: To characterize the historical features, clinical signs, treatment, histopathology, and outcome of dogs with focal lipogranulomatous lymphangitis. ANIMALS: Six dogs with ultrasonographic evidence of focal, regional small intestinal masses, often with involvement of the adjacent mesentery, and a diagnosis of focal lipogranulomatous lymphangitis based on histopathology of biopsied masses. RESULTS: The median age of dogs was 6.9 years (range 3-10 years). All dogs had total protein, globulin, and albumin concentrations within the reference range at initial presentation and had intestinal masses identified on abdominal ultrasound examination. Histopathologic evaluation of lesions identified severe mural and mesenteric lipogranulomatous lymphangitis. Lymphangiectasia was noted in 5 cases and only in sections within the mass-like lesion; tissue without lipogranulomas had minimal lymphangiectasia, suggesting a localized phenomenon. Postoperative outcomes ranged from remission of clinical signs with no subsequent treatment for 10-12 months in 2 dogs, postoperative management with medical and nutritional management in 3 dogs, and no outcome for 1 case. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This case series describes a unique mass-like manifestation of intestinal lipogranulomatous lymphangitis and should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in dogs with an intestinal mass.

Long-term outcomes of surgical management for nonmalignant perineal disease.

PURPOSE: A number of nonmalignant perineal diseases (focal and systemic) require surgery. The long-term outcome of various types of wound coverage for these diseases is not well described. We report the outcomes of perineal reconstruction for these diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 32 patients who underwent surgery from July 1995 to December 2012 for a nonmalignant conditions, including local disease (perineal gangrene and focal granulomatous/idiopathic lymphangitis) and regional/systemic disease (post-radiation lymphedema, lymphedema praecox and hidradenitis suppurativa), who had greater than 1-year followup. Wound closure was achieved by split-thickness skin graft, primary closure, musculocutaneous flap or healing by secondary intention. Long-term cosmetic/functional outcomes were measured semiquantitatively. RESULTS: Median patient age was 57 years (range 41 to 86) and median followup was 60 months (range 12 to 99). Of the patients 23 (72%) received a split-thickness skin graft, 2 (6%) underwent primary closure, 2 (6%) received a pedicled flap and 5 (16%) healed by secondary intention. Patients with perineal gangrene (21), focal granulomatous lymphangitis (4) and focal idiopathic lymphangitis (1) had favorable cosmetic/functional results regardless of closure type. All 4 patients with perineal gangrene who received a penile split-thickness skin graft and had erectile function before illness regained function after closure. Grafting for systemic lymphatic disease, such as post-radiation lymphedema in 3 cases, lymphedema praecox in 2 and hidradenitis suppurativa in 1, had mostly unfavorable cosmetic/functional long-term results. CONCLUSIONS: Wound closure, including grafts/flaps, for local cutaneous and lymphatic diseases affecting the perineum have excellent cosmetic and functional results. In contrast, grafts for regional/systemic diseases have suboptimal results and may assume the characteristics of the original disease.

Surgical vacuum-assisted closure for treatment of dramatic case of stonefish envenomation.

Skin necrosis of the foot, oedema and lymphangitis from stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) sting are complications well known for a long time and with potential long-term sequelae. Literature reports of stonefish envenomation give no specific reference on soft tissue management and surgical reconstruction. This is the first report describing a case of foot stonefish envenomation treated by vacuum-assisted closure therapy as an easy to use, accessible and simple adjuvant tool for management of large soft tissue necrosis.

Recurrent vulvar lymphangitis cured with vulvectomy in a cervical carcinoma patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent vulvar lymphangitis secondary to pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiation therapy can be a vexing clinical dilemma. CASE: A 55-year-old woman was initially treated with radical hysterectomy and 1 postoperative radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma in 1984. In 1987 she developed persistent vulvar, leg, and ankle edema; chronic vulvar pain; and recurrent vulvar cellulitis, which were ultimately attributed to group B Streptococcus. Despite long-term antibiotic therapy and compression stockings, the cellulitis was intractable. In June 2006 the patient underwent a bilateral simple vulvectomy with preservation of the clitoris and insertion of bilateral subcutaneous Jackson-Pratt drains. Her postoperative culture results revealed normal vaginal flora. CONCLUSION: The patient's wounds healed very well, and she has had no further episodes of vulvitis or lymphangitis. The management of recurrent infections involving lymphedema can be difficult and cause complicated clinical issues.

[Diagnostic image (294). A man with a painful, red, swollen finger]. / Diagnose in beeld (294). een man met een pijnlijke, rode, gezwollen vinger.

A 35-year-old man presented with a tendineal panaritium and lymphangitis of his arm caused by a group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection after an accidental splinter injury.

Minimal invasive lymphaticovenular anastomosis under local anesthesia for leg lymphedema: is it effective for stage III and IV?

This is the first report on the effectiveness of minimal invasive lymphaticovenular anastomosis under local anesthesia for leg lymphedema. Fifty-two patients (age: 15 to 78 years old; 8 males, 44 females) were treated with lymphaticovenular anastomoses under local anesthesia and by postoperative compression using elastic stockings. The average duration of edema of these patients before treatment was 5.3 +/- 5.0 years. The average number of anastomosis in each patient was 2.1 +/- 1.2 (1-5). The patients were followed for an average of 14.5 +/- 10.2 months, and the result were considered effective (82.5%) even for the patients with stage III (progressive edema with acute lymphangitis) and IV (fibrolymphedema), but others showed no improvement. Among these cases, 17 patients showed reduction of over 4 cm in the circumference of the lower leg. The average decrease in the circumference excluding edema in bilateral legs was 41.8 +/- 31.2% of the preoperative excess length. These results indicate that minimal invasive lymphaticovenular anastomosis under a local anesthesia is valuable instead of general anesthesia.

[The surgical procedure in acute anaerobic paraproctitis]. / Khirurgicheskaia taktika pri ostrom anaérobnom paraproktite.

A method of active outstripping incisions with special reference to the localization of the primary anaerobic focus and possible pathways of the spreading of purulent exudate is proposed on the basis of experiences with surgical treatment of 14 patients with acute anaerobic paraproctitis and investigations of topographical-anatomical localization of cellular spaces in the pararectal area.

Role and extent of lymphadenectomy for early breast cancer.

A better understanding of the locoregional and systemic approaches to breast cancer over the past decade and one-half has altered the perspective on surgical management of the axilla. An increased awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate staging has focused further attention on the extent of resection of axillary lymph nodes. Examined here are the anatomy and physiology of the axillary lymph nodes, their clinical evaluation, the significance of histologic evaluation, a discussion of the procedure's role in staging and therapy, and a presentation of the complications of axillary lymph node dissection. It is in this light that we discuss the extent of axillary lymphadenectomy in early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Surgical management of persistent, symptomatic nonvenereal sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis.

Nonvenereal sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis is a rare condition involving the distal lymphatics of the penis. Its association with trauma has been shown. Although there is a minimal inflammatory response the etiology is unknown. Clinically, the patient notices a nontender, serpiginous nodular mass just proximal to the coronal sulcus. Most cases are self-limited and conservative management is indicated. Surgical excision is warranted for persistently symptomatic lesions.

Two-year review of hand infections at a municipal hospital.

Although an unromantic topic, the management of hand infection can tax the patience and skill of the modern day surgeon. The addition of antibiotics to the surgeon's armamentarium have made the job easier than in the days of Kanavel and Koch but has not altered the basic surgical principles of elevation, immobilization and properly planned drainage. Awareness of hand anatomy in relation to infection and awareness of special categories of problems are necessary in preventing crippling deformities in one of our most precious possessions--the hand.