Johannes Steinbacher1,2, Ines E Tinhofer1,2, Stefan Meng2,3, Lukas F Reissig2, Eva Placheta1, Julia Roka-Palkovits1, Thomas Rath1, Ming-Huei Cheng4, Wolfgang J Weninger2, Chieh Han Tzou1. 1. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. 2. Department of Systematic Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. 3. Department of Radiology, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Hospital, Vienna, Austria. 4. Division of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vascularized lymph node transfer is an effective surgical method in reducing lymphedema. This study provides the first detailed description of the surgical anatomy of the supraclavicular lymph node flap in regard to pedicle length, pedicle diameter, and the number of lymph nodes and their exact location inside the flap. METHODS: Bilateral supraclavicular dissections of nine fresh cadavers (five female) were performed. Before the dissection, the exact number of lymph nodes was determined sonographically by an experienced radiologist, and their distance from the jugular notch was measured. After anatomic dissection, the vascular pedicle's diameter and length were measured. RESULTS: The mean number of lymph nodes was 1.5 ± 1.85 on the right side and 3 ± 2.26 on the left. Their mean distance from the jugular notch was 8.29 ± 2.15 cm on the right and 6.10 ± 1.21 cm on the left. The pedicle's length was 4.72 ± 1.03 cm on the right and 4.86 ± 0.99 cm on the left, and its diameter 2.03 ± 0.83 on the right and 1.80 ± 0.77 on the left. CONCLUSION: The pedicle length and diameter of the supraclavicular lymph node flap are suitable for a microvascular tissue transfer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:60-62.
BACKGROUND: Vascularized lymph node transfer is an effective surgical method in reducing lymphedema. This study provides the first detailed description of the surgical anatomy of the supraclavicular lymph node flap in regard to pedicle length, pedicle diameter, and the number of lymph nodes and their exact location inside the flap. METHODS: Bilateral supraclavicular dissections of nine fresh cadavers (five female) were performed. Before the dissection, the exact number of lymph nodes was determined sonographically by an experienced radiologist, and their distance from the jugular notch was measured. After anatomic dissection, the vascular pedicle's diameter and length were measured. RESULTS: The mean number of lymph nodes was 1.5 ± 1.85 on the right side and 3 ± 2.26 on the left. Their mean distance from the jugular notch was 8.29 ± 2.15 cm on the right and 6.10 ± 1.21 cm on the left. The pedicle's length was 4.72 ± 1.03 cm on the right and 4.86 ± 0.99 cm on the left, and its diameter 2.03 ± 0.83 on the right and 1.80 ± 0.77 on the left. CONCLUSION: The pedicle length and diameter of the supraclavicular lymph node flap are suitable for a microvascular tissue transfer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:60-62.
Authors: Edward I Chang; Carrie K Chu; Summer E Hanson; Jesse C Selber; Matthew M Hanasono; Mark V Schaverien Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2020-03-27