BACKGROUND: The purpose of this manuscript is to assess the efficacy of direct lymphatic venous microsurgery in the prevention of lymphedema following axillary dissection for breast cancer. METHODS: Nineteen patients with operable breast cancer requiring an axillary dissection underwent surgery, carrying out LVA between the blue lymphatics and an axillary vein branch simultaneously. The follow-up after 6 and 12 months from the operation included circumferential measurements in all cases and lymphangioscintigraphy only in 18 patients out of 19 cases. RESULTS: Blue nodes in relation to lymphatic arm drainage were identified in 18/19 patients. All blue nodes were resected and 2-4 main afferent lymphatics from the arm could be prepared and used for anastomoses. Lymphatic-venous anastomoses allowed to prevent lymphedema in all cases. Lymphangioscintigraphy demonstrated the patency of microvascular anastomoses. CONCLUSIONS: Disruption of the blue nodes and closure of arm lymphatics can explain the significantly high risk of lymphedema after axillary dissection. LVA proved to be a safe procedure for patients in order to prevent arm lymphedema.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this manuscript is to assess the efficacy of direct lymphatic venous microsurgery in the prevention of lymphedema following axillary dissection for breast cancer. METHODS: Nineteen patients with operable breast cancer requiring an axillary dissection underwent surgery, carrying out LVA between the blue lymphatics and an axillary vein branch simultaneously. The follow-up after 6 and 12 months from the operation included circumferential measurements in all cases and lymphangioscintigraphy only in 18 patients out of 19 cases. RESULTS: Blue nodes in relation to lymphatic arm drainage were identified in 18/19 patients. All blue nodes were resected and 2-4 main afferent lymphatics from the arm could be prepared and used for anastomoses. Lymphatic-venous anastomoses allowed to prevent lymphedema in all cases. Lymphangioscintigraphy demonstrated the patency of microvascular anastomoses. CONCLUSIONS: Disruption of the blue nodes and closure of arm lymphatics can explain the significantly high risk of lymphedema after axillary dissection. LVA proved to be a safe procedure for patients in order to prevent arm lymphedema.
Authors: Marlys H Witte; Michael T Dellinger; Donald M McDonald; S David Nathanson; Francesco M Boccardo; Corradino C C Campisi; Jonathan P Sleeman; Jeffrey E Gershenwald Journal: J Surg Oncol Date: 2011-05-01 Impact factor: 3.454
Authors: Isabelle Bedrosian; Gildy V Babiera; Elizabeth A Mittendorf; Henry M Kuerer; Laura Pantoja; Kelly K Hunt; Savitri Krishnamurthy; Funda Meric-Bernstam Journal: Cancer Date: 2010-06-01 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Michael Bernas; Saskia R J Thiadens; Betty Smoot; Jane M Armer; Paula Stewart; Jay Granzow Journal: Clin Exp Metastasis Date: 2018-05-17 Impact factor: 5.150
Authors: Hoda E Sayegh; Maria S Asdourian; Meyha N Swaroop; Cheryl L Brunelle; Melissa N Skolny; Laura Salama; Alphonse G Taghian Journal: Curr Breast Cancer Rep Date: 2017-05-03