Recipient Venule Selection and Anastomosis Configuration for Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis in Extremity Lymphedema: Algorithm Based on 1,000 Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: The lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) has three components, lymphatics, venules, and anastomosis, and all of them influence the anastomotic pressure gradient. Although it has been demonstrated that venule flow dynamics has an independent impact on the outcomes regardless the degeneration status of lymphatic vessels, recipient venules (RV) have been mainly neglected in literature. METHODS: From January 2016 to February 2020, 232 nonconsecutive patients affected by extremity lymphedema underwent LVA, for a total of 1,000 LVAs. Only patients with normal-to-ectasic lymphatic collectors were included to focus the evaluation on the RV only. The preoperative collected data included the location, diameter, and continence of the selected venules, the expected number, the anastomoses configuration, and their flow dynamics according to BSO classification. RESULTS: The 232 patients included 117 upper limb lymphedema (ULL) and 115 lower limb lymphedema (LLL). The average size of RV was 0.81 ± 0.32 mm in end-to-end (E-E), 114 ± 0.17 mm in end-to-side (E-S), 0.39 ± 0.22 mm in side-to-end (S-E), and 0.76 ± 0.38 mm in side-to-side (S-S) anastomoses. According to the BSO classification, on a total of 732 RV, 105(14%) were backflow venules, 136 (19%) were slack, and 491 (67%) were outlet venules. Also, 824 (82%) were E-E, 107 (11%) were E-S, 51 (5%) were S-E, and 18 (2%) were S-S anastomoses. CONCLUSION: Based on 1,000 LVAs with similar lymphatic characteristics, we propose our algorithm that may aid the lymphatic microsurgeon in the selection of RV and the consequent anastomosis configuration, in order of obtain the best flow dynamic through the LVA. This therapeutic study reflects level of evidence IV.

Surgical interventions for the prevention or treatment of lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer amongst women worldwide, and one distressing complication of breast cancer treatment is breast and upper-limb lymphoedema. There is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of surgical interventions in both the prevention and management of lymphoedema affecting the arm after breast cancer treatment. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess and compare the efficacy of surgical interventions for the prevention of the development of lymphoedema (LE) in the arm after breast cancer treatment.2. To assess and compare the efficacy of surgical interventions for the treatment of established LE in the arm after breast cancer treatment. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group's Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov for all prospectively registered and ongoing trials on 2 November 2017. Reference lists of included studies were also handsearched by three review authors for additional eligible trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing a surgical intervention for the prevention or treatment of lymphoedema of the arm after breast cancer treatment to either standard intervention, placebo intervention, or another surgical intervention were included. Patients of both sexes and all ages who have had treatment for their breast cancer were considered. No limits were applied to language or study location. Three authors independently determined the eligibility of each study. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three authors independently extracted data for each included study using a pre-designed data extraction pro forma and used Cochrane's 'risk of bias' tool for assessing risk of bias. Dichotomous variables were analysed using the Mantel-Haenszel method to estimate risk ratios (RRs). Differences in continuous variables were expressed as mean differences (MDs). GRADE was used to assess the certainty of the evidence provided by the included studies. MAIN RESULTS: Two studies involving 95 participants examined surgical interventions for preventing breast cancer-related lymphoedema. Both studies evaluated the efficacy of the lymphaticovenular anastomosis technique as part of a preventative management protocol. Both studies were deemed to be at unclear risk of bias overall. Statistical variation between the studies was low, which increases the reliability of the evidence. However, the two studies were conducted in the same centre. Lymphaticovenular anastomosis appears to result in a reduction in the incidence of lymphoedema compared to nonoperative management with a risk ratio of 0.20 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.63, P = 0.006; 95 participants; low-certainty evidence). The RCTs did not evaluate any of the secondary outcomes.One study involving 36 participants evaluated the effectiveness of vascularised lymph node transfer for treating breast cancer-related lymphoedema. The trial was deemed to be at unclear risk of bias. For participants suffering from stage 2 lymphoedema, the evidence suggested reductions in limb volume (MD -39.00%, 95% CI -47.37% to -30.63%, very low-certainty evidence), pain scores (MD -4.16, 95% CI -5.17 to -3.15, very low-certainty evidence), heaviness sensation (MD -4.27, 95% CI -5.74 to -2.80, very low-certainty evidence), mean number of infections/year (MD -1.22, 95% CI -2.00 to -0.44, very low-certainty evidence), and an improvement in overall function scores (MD -3.77, 95% CI -4.89 to -2.65, very low-certainty evidence) for those who had undergone vascularised lymph node transfer compared to those who had undergone no treatment. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is low-certainty evidence that lymphaticovenular anastomosis is effective in preventing the development of lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment based on the findings from two studies. One study providing very low-certainty evidence found that vascularised lymph node transfer is an efficacious option in the treatment of established stage 2 lymphoedema related to breast cancer. Important secondary outcomes in this review were rarely reported in the included studies. More high-quality RCTs are required to further elucidate the effectiveness of surgical interventions in the prevention and treatment of lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment. At the time of this review, no ongoing trials on this topic were identified.

Supermicrosurgical Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis for a Breast Lymphedema Secondary to vascularized Axillary Lymph Node Flap Transfer.

Breast lymphedema (BLE) can occur after breast cancer treatments, but there have been no cases of BLE secondary to lymph node transfer (LNT) using an axillary lymph node (ALN). We report the first case of LNT-related BLE successfully treated with supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA). A 50-year-old female presented with left BLE after LNT harvesting from the left axilla for the treatment of secondary lower extremity lymphedema in another hospital. Although the left breast did not seem edematous, the patient suffered from sensation of tension and frequent episodes of left breast cellulitis. Since conservative treatments were not effective, LVA was performed at the lateral thoracic region. A 0.5 mm lymphatic vessel was found and anastomosed to a nearby 0.35 mm vein in an intima-to-intima coaptation manner. After the LVA, the patient experienced no sensation of tension or further cellulitis attacks. Although rarely encountered, BLE can occur after axillary LNT, and LVA may be a useful therapeutic option.

Use of Indocyanine Green-SPY Angiography for Tracking Lymphatic Recovery After Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) is a surgical treatment option for patients with early stage lymphedema. To date, no ideal imaging modality exists for tracking patency of the LVA postoperatively. We hypothesize that laser angiography utilizing indocyanine green (ICG) via the SPY system (Lifecell Corp.) would be a useful methodology for assessing the patency of the LVA and lymphatic recovery postoperatively. METHODS: A prospective trial was performed on patients with stage II lymphedema who underwent LVA from 2013 to 2014 by a single surgeon. All candidates underwent preoperative and postoperative lymphatic mapping using ICG-SPY angiography. Postoperative analyses were performed at 1 month and at 9 months after surgery and assessed for patency at the site of the LVAs and for changes in lymphatic pattern. RESULTS: Five patients underwent LVA, 3 for upper extremity and 2 for lower extremity stage II lymphedema. The number of LVAs per extremity was 1 to 3 (total, 11). One month postoperative ICG-SPY angiography demonstrated flow through 9 of 11 anastomoses. Evaluation at 9 months postoperative showed improvement in lymphatic drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Indocyanine green-SPY angiography may be used to objectively evaluate the surgical outcome of LVA.

Fluorescein sodium fluorescence microscope-integrated lymphangiography for lymphatic supermicrosurgery.

Microscope-integrated lymphangiography is a useful method in the field of lymphatic supermicrosurgery. Fluorescence based on indocyanine green (ICG) is the most commonly used. Fluorescein sodium is a fluorescent tracer used for retinal and neurosurgical angiography but not yet for lymphatic supermicrosurgery. In this report, we present a case in which the fluorescein sodium fluorescence microscope-integrated lymphangiography was used for assessment of lymphatic drainage pathway and patency in a patient treated for secondary lymphedema by lymphaticovenular anastomoses. Fluorescein sodium fluorescence microscope-integrated lymphangiography was evaluated in a 67-year-old female presented for a Campisi clinical stage IV lymphedema of the upper limb. Transcutaneous guidance and vascular fluorescence were assessed. A comparison with ICG fluorescence was made intraoperatively. Two lymphaticovenular anastomoses were performed and their patency were checked by lymphangiography. Transcutaneous signal was found higher with fluorescein sodium fluorescence. Intraluminal visualization was possible with fluorescein sodium coloration during lymphaticovenular anastomoses. No adverse reaction occurred. The circumferential differential reduction rate of affected limb was 8.1% 3 months after lymphaticovenular anastomoses. The use of fluorescence microscope-integrated lymphangiography with fluorescein sodium may be superior to ICG fluorescence in assistance of lymphaticovenular anastomoses.

The guide wire method: a new technique for easier side-to-end lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

Lymphaticovenular anastomosis has become one of the treatment options for lymphedema. Among several types of anastomosis, side-to-end anastomosis in which a window is made on the wall of a lymphatic vessel is considered to be the most effective, because it creates bidirectional bypasses through 1 anastomosis. However, making a side-to-end anastomosis with a small lymphatic vessel and a venule can be technically challenging. We developed a new technique using an intravascular stenting that significantly facilitates the procedure.

Minimally invasive lymphatic supermicrosurgery (MILS): indocyanine green lymphography-guided simultaneous multisite lymphaticovenular anastomoses via millimeter skin incisions.

Among various surgical treatments, lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA), which bypasses congested lymph into venous circulation, is the least invasive surgical treatment. However, it usually entails skin incisions of around 3 cm, and operation time of around 4 hours. With multiple supermicrosurgeons under guidance of indocyanine green lymphography, LVAs can be simultaneously performed under local anesthesia within approximately 2 hours via small skin incisions with length less than 1 cm, allowing minimally invasive lymphatic supermicrosurgery (MILS). We performed MILS on 11 limbs of compression-refractory peripheral lymphedema cases. Length of skin incision for LVA ranged from 1 to 9 mm. Average operation time was 1.82 hours. Of the 11 limbs, 10 showed postoperative volume reduction. Indocyanine green lymphography clearly visualizes superficial lymph flows, which helps us to decide precise skin incision sites and find lymphatic vessels in LVA surgery, shortening skin incision length and operation time. Minimally invasive lymphatic supermicrosurgery can serve as the most reasonable treatment of compression-refractory peripheral lymphedema.

Ladder-shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis using multiple side-to-side lymphatic anastomoses for a leg lymphedema patient.

Lymphatic supermicrosurgery, supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA), is becoming a useful option for the treatment of compression-refractory lymphedema. One of the most important points in LVA is to make as many bypasses as possible for better treatment results. We report a progressive lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) case successfully treated with a ladder-shaped LVA. A 67-year-old female with secondary LEL refractory to conservative treatments underwent LVA. A ladder-shaped LVA was performed at the left ankle. In the ladder-shaped LVA, 3 lymphatic vessels and 1 vein were anastomosed in a side-to-side fashion; 2 lymphatic vessels next to the vein were anastomosed to the vein, and the other lymphatic vessel was anastomosed to the nearby lymphatic vessel. Using ladder-shaped LVA, 6 lymph flows of 3 lymphatic vessels could be bypassed into a vein. Six months after the LVA operation, her left LEL index decreased from 212 to 195, indicating edematous volume reduction. Ladder-shaped LVA may be a useful option when there are 3 lymphatic vessels and 1 vein in a surgical field.

Modified lambda-shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis with supermicrosurgical lymphoplasty technique for a cancer-related lymphedema patient.

Supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) has become a useful option for the treatment of compression-refractory lymphedema with its effectiveness and less invasiveness. It is important to make as many bypasses as possible for better treatment results of LVA operation. We report a secondary lymphedema case successfully treated using a modified lambda-shaped LVA. A 62-year-old female with secondary lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) refractory to conservative treatments underwent LVA operation. A modified lambda-shaped LVA was performed at the left groin. In modified lambda-shaped LVA, two lymphatic vessels were transected, and both ends of the proximal and distal sides were converged respectively for an end-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses to one vein. Using modified lambda-shaped LVA, four lymph flows of two lymphatic vessels could be bypassed into a vein. Six months after the LVA surgery, her left LEL index decreased from 261 to 247, indicating edematous volume reduction. Modified lambda-shaped LVA effectively bypasses all lymph flows from two lymphatic vessels, when only one large vein can be found in the surgical field.

Minimally invasive multiple lymphaticovenular anastomosis at the ankle for the prevention of lower leg lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: The patients with secondary unilateral lower limb lymphedema are likely to experience lymphedema of the contralateral leg in the future. Our policy is to perform preventive lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) of the contralateral limb without symptoms in these patients. In this report, we describe a minimally invasive preventive LVA procedure and present the preliminary results. METHODS: Ten patients with unilateral lower leg lymphedema underwent multiple LVA procedures through a skin incision over the ankle of the contralateral limb without symptoms. The Campisi clinical stage of these limbs without symptoms was stage 0 in five cases and stage 1A in five cases. The number of anastomoses performed through the incision over the ankle was two LVAs in five cases, three LVAs in four cases, and four LVAs in one case. RESULTS: All the multiple LVAs were completed without complications. The onset of postoperative cellulitis and edematous aggravation of the limb that received the minimally invasive preventive LVA procedure was not noted in any patient during 6-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive preventive LVA procedure might prevent lymphedema and improve the physical appearance of the limb with minimal scarring. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to monitor the future progression of edema in these patients.

π-shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis: the venous flow sparing technique for the treatment of peripheral lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, lymphaticovenular anastomosis has been recognized as an efficient microsurgical treatment for peripheral lymphedema. The technique based on two end-to-side anastomosis is named π-shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis. This is the venous flow-sparing technique, in which the distal endothelial cells are not sacrificed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of π-shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis in chronic lymphedema of the upper and lower limbs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 2010 to August 2011, 20 patients with a peripheral lymphedema were treated by π-shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis. A total of 12 patients had a lymphedema of the upper limb and 8 patients had a lymphedema of the lower limb. The mean age of the patients was 57.2 years (range, 44-78 years). The mean duration of lymphedema was 6.2 years (range, 1-23 years). The Campisi clinical stage range 2 to 5 (average, 3.3). Every patient was operated under local anesthesia. Four π-shaped lymphaticovenular anastomoses were performed per limb. RESULTS: The mean caliber of lymphatic vessels used for lymphaticovenular anastomosis was 0.55 mm (range, 0.3-0.8 mm). The mean caliber of subdermal venules was 1.2 mm (range, 0.5-2.1 mm).The average operative time to perform one π-shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis was 55 minutes (range, 45-65 minutes). A venous backflow was found in 98 lymphaticovenular anastomosis (55.7%). Total 16 patients (80%) had a clinically significant circumferential reduction after surgery. The average volume differential reduction rate was 22.9% (range, 4.9-46.3) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: π-Shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis is a supermicrosurgical method with a low morbidity to treat peripheral lymphedema. The procedure can easily be performed under local anesthesia, and the postoperative recovery is short. The results of this series demonstrate a clinical efficiency of the technique to reduce chronic lymphedema of the limbs.EBM level IV.

Concordance between preoperative imaging methods in patients with limb lymphedema undergoing supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: Supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is increasingly being recognized as a first-line treatment of limb lymphedema because it is minimally invasive and highly effective. Lymphoscintigraphy and indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography are the two most commonly performed diagnostic imaging examinations to establish the indication and plan the procedure for patients affected by limb lymphedema. In a small group of patients, the information between these two imaging tools can be discordant, showing different anatomical drainage pathways or the absence of drainage and dermal backflow in one examination and valid drainage pathways in the other. The purpose of this study is to examine the types of possible discrepancies between lymphoscintigraphy of the superficial system and ICG lymphography and to describe the surgical outcomes after LVA for patients presenting with such discrepancies. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients who underwent LVA for upper or lower limb lymphedema between July 2015 and July 2023. From this series, we identified a group of patients with nonconcordant imaging results from lymphoscintigraphy and ICG lymphography before lymphatic surgery. Nonconcordant findings were described in terms of "pattern discordance" and "pathway discordance." The surgical outcome was measured by the change in the mean circumference of the limb after surgery. The changes between the preoperative and postoperative limb measures were analyzed using the Student t test. P values < .05 were considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients with limb lymphedema exhibited inconsistencies between preoperative lymphoscintigraphy of the superficial system and ICG lymphography. Among these patients, 14 experienced pattern discordance, 13 had pathway discordance, and 1 patient had both. After LVA, we observed a significant reduction in the average circumference of the affected limb in the analyzed group. CONCLUSIONS: The discrepancy in the information between lymphoscintigraphy and ICG lymphography in the preoperative study of patients affected by limb lymphedema is rare but possible. This phenomenon is still not fully explained; however, our results suggest that it does not correlate with the outcome of supermicrosurgical LVAs.

Split intravascular stents for side-to-end lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

Supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is becoming the treatment of choice for compression-refractory lymphedema. Among various types of LVA, side-to-end (S-E) LVA is considered to be the most efficient one, because it can divert bidirectional lymph flows into venous circulation via 1 anastomosis, but is technically difficult. We developed a new technique for safe and easy S-E LVA with modified intravascular stenting (IVaS) method. Different from the original IVaS method, a lymphatic vessel is pierced by an IVaS before creation of a lateral window. The IVaS is cut after window creation and the ends are inserted into the lymphatic vessel and the venule respectively, guiding the course of the needle throughout the S-E anastomosis procedure. This method makes S-E LVA easier without special instruments.

Preparatory intravascular stenting technique: an easier method of supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

Recent supermicrosurgical techniques have made it possible to anastomose lymph vessels to the subdermal venular system. However, because the lymphatic fluid is clear and the vessel is translucent, soft, and fragile, with a thinner wall than blood vessels, supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis is a demanding technique. One difficulty of lymphaticovenular anastomosis is identification of the lumen to pass the suture into it. This report describes a preparatory intravascular stenting technique to identify the lumen and perform lymphaticovenular anastomosis accurately. In this technique, we placed 9-0 or 10-0 nylon thread into the lymphatic lumen before transecting the lymph vessel. The end of the nylon was pushed through to appear from the lymphatic lumen, then advanced into the vein to stabilize the 2 vessels. This technique allows supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis to be performed quickly and efficiently.

A modified side-to-end lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is a useful treatment for compression-refractory lymphedema with its effectiveness and minimal invasiveness. However, LVA requires supermicrosurgery, where lymphatic vessels with a diameter of 0.5 mm or smaller are anastomosed using 11-0 or 12-0 suture. To make LVA easier and safer, we adopted a modified side-to-end (S-E) anastomosis in LVA surgery. METHODS: We performed modified S-E LVAs in 14 limbs of female patients with lower extremity lymphedema (LEL). In modified S-E LVA, lateral windows with a length of 1.0 mm or longer were created on a lymphatic vessel and a vein, respectively, and side-to-side (S-S) anastomosis was established with 10-0 continuous suture. After completion of S-S anastomosis, the vein distal to the anastomosis site was ligated to prevent venous backflow and subsequent thrombosis at the anastomosis site. Lymphedematous volume was evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative 6 months using LEL index. RESULTS: All the 24 modified S-E anastomoses could be completed without difficulty or revision for anastomosis, and showed good patency after completion of anastomosis. Postoperatively, LEL indices significantly decreased compared with preoperative LEL index (255.9 ± 14.1 vs. 274.9 ± 22.2, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Modified S-E LVA can efficaciously divert lymph flows into venous circulation without performing supermicrosurgical anastomosis.

Regional diagnosis of lymphoedema and selection of sites for lymphaticovenular anastomosis using elastography.

AIM: To evaluate the use of ultrasound elastography as a basis for determining the most appropriate sites for lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) for treatment of lymphoedema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative elastography and LVA were performed in 11 patients (11 legs) with leg lymphoedema, including two cases of primary oedema and nine of secondary oedema. RESULTS: The mean number of LVAs applied per leg was 4.4 (range 3-7). The mean reduction in the leg circumference was 91.7%, and 10 of the 11 cases (90.0%) were improved. Hardness was reduced from a mean of 1.6 before surgery to 0.9 after surgery, and improvement was also noted in 10 cases (90.9%). The severity of oedema was determined in five regions in each leg, and was classified as elastography stage (ES) 0 in 11 regions, ES1 in 23, ES2 in 15, and ES3 in six. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the value of ultrasound elastography for the diagnosis of early-stage lymphoedema and determination of LVA sites. This is the first report of diagnosis of lymphoedema using elastography and the findings suggest that this procedure followed by LVA could be used as a new therapeutic method for early-stage lymphoedema.

Lower extremity free flap reconstruction outcomes using venous coupler.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular anastomotic coupling devices have been available to microsurgeons for over 20 years. Many studies have validated the efficacy of these devices for venous anastomosis. To date, there have been no large reports of their success in the anatomical region with the highest free flap failure rate, the lower extremity. METHODS: A retrospective review of 67 consecutive patients who underwent lower extremity microvascular reconstruction performed from August 2003 to September 2010 was performed. Patient charts were reviewed for age, sex, medical comorbidities, etiology of defect, location of defect, flap type, anastomotic technique, complications, flap survival, and limb salvage outcome. RESULTS: No patients returned to the operating room to have an arterial or venous anastomosis revised. Despite 100% vascular anastomosis patency rates in 67 consecutive lower extremity free flaps, flap survival rate was 95.5%. Total complication rate (13.4%) was due to two partial and one complete flap loss, three infections, two skin graft loses, and one hematoma. There were no intraoperative or perioperative complications involving the use of a microvascular anastomotic coupling device itself. Thirty-day and long term limb salvage rate was 97% and 92.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Microvascular anastomotic coupling devices create effective venous anastomoses in lower extremity microvascular reconstruction. Thus, it presents an important tool in the armamentarium for lower extremity microsurgical reconstruction.