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Objective: Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) is one of the surgical treatments of lymphedema. However, only a few reports have evaluated LVA directly. This study aimed to evaluate the patency of LVA using indocyanine green fluorescence lymphography and to determine the optimal anastomosis site in patients with lower extremity lymphedema., Methods: Thirty-six patients, with a total of 123 anastomoses for lower extremity lymphedema including 3 cases of idiopathic lymphedema, who underwent LVA for the first time between March 2014 and March 2017 were selected for enrollment in this study. The patency of the anastomoses was evaluated using PDE-neo (Hamamatsu Photonics, Hamakita, Japan) by injecting indocyanine green into the subcutaneous tissue at 6 months postoperatively. The site of anastomosis was the intersection point of the lymphatic vessel and vein, which was identified preoperatively. To determine the best surgical location, the anastomosis site was classified into the joint area (ankle and knee) and nonjoint area (dorsum and lower leg). The anastomosis was evaluated as either patent or nonpatent., Results: Patency was confirmed in 37 of the 76 (49%) anastomoses at the joint area and 12 of the 47 (26%) at nonjoint areas (P = .01)., Conclusions: The patency rate was significantly higher around the joint area than at the nonjoint areas. LVA around the joint area is recommended to ensure favorable technical and surgical outcomes for patients with lower extremity lymphedema., (Copyright © 2018 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Treatment of advanced lymphedema requires not only restoration of physiological lymph drainage, but also excision of fibrotic tissue and excess skin. The aim of this study is to show how the combination of double vascularized lymph node transfers (VLNTs) and a modified radical reduction with preservation of perforators (RRPP) can accomplish both of these treatment goals., Methods: Between 2010 and 2016, 16 patients (15 female and one male) with extremity lymphedema underwent a combined double gastroepiploic VLNTs and modified RRPP. Demographics, outcomes including circumference reduction rates, preoperative and postoperative lymphoscintigraphy, complications, and responses to the Lymphedema Quality of Life (LYMQOL) questionnaire were analyzed., Results: All flaps survived. The mean follow-up period was 14.2 months (range, 12-19). The mean circumference reduction rate was 74.5% ± 6.9% for the upper limb and 68.0% ± 4.2% for the lower limb. There were no major complications. Minor complications, including numbness and hyperesthesia, were treated conservatively. LYMQOL showed a 2.7-fold quality-of-life improvement (P < 0.01). Postoperative lymphoscintigraphy showed improved lymphatic drainage in all cases., Conclusion: Combined double VLNTs and modified RRPP safely and effectively improves lymphatic drainage, reduces fibrotic tissue and excess skin, decreases episodes of infections, and improves patients' quality of life in the advanced stages of lymphedema., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Treatment of secondary lymphedema at the lower extremities is largely divided into two methods: removal of lymphatic tissue and bypass of lymphatic perfusion. We report a case of lymphaticovenous anastomosis in a patient with secondary lower extremity lymphedema. A 59-year-old woman underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis in inguinal, knee, and ankle due to obstructive lymphedema in the left lower extremity after performed radical cuff resection, Bilateral Pelvic Lymphadenectomy, Periarterial Lymphadenectomy, and total omentectomy for ovarian cancer and metastatic carcinoma. At 1 year follow-up, there was a decrease of 32.8% in volume differential compared to the preoperative level. Understanding of the features of lymphaticovenous anastomosis, we can expect good results in secondary obstructive lymphedema patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) has become one of the useful surgical treatments for compression-refractory lower extremity lymphedema (LEL). It is important to anastomose larger lymphatic vessels with abundant lymph flows in LVA surgery. This study aimed to clarify factors associated with lymphatic vessel diameter., Methods: One hundred thirty-four LEL patients who underwent pre-operative indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography and LVA from June 2009 to August 2014 in a single institution were included in this retrospective observational study. Clinical, ICG lymphography, and intraoperative findings were collected from medical charts. A lymphatic vessel with external diameters of 0.5 mm or larger was defined as a large lymphatic vessel (LLV). Independent factors associated with LLV were identified using logistic regression analysis., Results: Nine hundred sixty-two lymphatic vessels were identified, among which 438 (45.5%) were LLVs. Independent factors associated with LLV were older age (odds ration [OR], 1.408; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.026-1.931; P = 0.034), positive history of radiation (OR, 1.634; 95%CI 1.228-2.173; P = 0.001), incision site in the thigh/lower leg compared with in the groin (OR, 1.617/1.685; 95%CI 1.076-2.432/1.148-2.473; P = 0.021/0.008). Inverse associations were observed in S-region/D-region on ICG lymphography compared with L-region (OR, 0.537/0.048; 95%CI, 0.397-0.726/0.006-0.371; P < 0.001/0.004)., Conclusions: D-region on ICG lymphography had the lowest OR to find LLV, representing that lymphatic vessels found in D-region on ICG lymphography would be significantly smaller than those in L-region. In LVA surgery, D-region should be avoided., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Introduction: Recurrent cellulitis is a frequent and challenging complication of lymphoedema. British Lymphology Society cellulitis guidelines state that decongestive lymphatic therapy reduces the frequency of cellulitis attacks, but do not mention the effect of surgical interventions. This systematic review aims to assess whether surgical interventions for lymphoedema reduce the frequency of attacks of cellulitis., Materials and Methods: Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane database were searched for relevant articles from database inception to January 2016. Four hundred and thirty-six abstracts were retrieved. Studies were included which contained quantitative data on cellulitis incidence before and after a surgical intervention. Two independent reviewers applied selection criteria, selecting 27 papers for full text review. Two were unavailable in the UK from any source., Results: A variety of surgical techniques were utilized in the 25 papers included: lymphaticovenous anastomosis, superficial-to-deep lymphaticolymphatic anastomosis, lymph node transfer, Charles procedure, muscle flap transfer, Homan's procedure, and subcutaneous tissue excision below skin flaps. Five studies combined techniques. One study compared the intervention to a control group (physical therapy). Cellulitis incidence was decreased following surgical intervention in 24/25 studies included. Eight had quantifiable reductions in cellulitis over a set follow-up period; in the other 16 preoperative incidence was not precisely defined., Conclusion: Surgery appears effective at reducing cellulitis incidence in lymphoedema. However, high quality evidence from randomized controlled trials is lacking. Future research should concentrate on comparison with control groups, for example compression alone versus compression with surgical intervention, in patients with lymphoedema and greater than two attacks of cellulitis per year., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Between 2010 and 2016, 110 patients with extremity lymphedema underwent vascularized lymph node (VLN) transfer: groin (G-VLN = 20), supraclavicular (SC-VLN = 54), and right gastroepiploic (RGE-VLN = 36) open and laparoscopic approach. Herein, we discuss the pearls and pitfalls for VLN harvest and compare donor site morbidity and complications. Lymphatic leakage: G-VLN (n = 1) and SC-VLN (n = 1) and one hematoma: SC-VLN were found. Laparoscopic harvest of the RGE-VLN reduces donor site morbidity. However, surgeons experience is imperative to minimize donor site morbidity and complications. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:37-42. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To review the progress of treatment and prevention of breast cancer related lymphedema., Methods: The recent literature concerning treatment and prevention of breast cancer related lymphedema was extensively consulted and reviewed., Results: The treatment of lymphedema is now based on complete decongestive therapy, supplemented with medicine and surgery. Those procedures have been proved to be safe and effective. Sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary reverse mapping, and lymphaticovenous anastomoses have been used to decrease the incidence of lymphedema. They show promising effectiveness in short term, but the long-term effectiveness needs further tests., Conclusions: In clinical practice, many treatment methods are used to decrease lymphedema, and lymphedema prevention is playing an increasingly important role. Lymphaticovenous anastomoses shows a promising effectiveness in reducing lymphedema.

Evaluation of the lymphedema patients with appropriate staging is fundamental for further treatment. Treatment includes compressive decongestive therapy for stage 0 and 1 patients, lymphovenous anastomosis for stage 1 and 2 patients, vascularized lymph node transfer for stage 2 and above patients. Wedge resection, liposuction, and the Charles procedure are alternatives or additions to physiological procedures. The selection of donor lymph node flap and recipient site depends on the patient's lymphedema status and surgeon's expertise. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:923-931. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Summary: Objectives: Primary lymphoedema is said to be caused by lymph duct malformations, lymphatic hypoplasia or lymphatic agenesis, but no definite treatment has been established. In this study, we used magnetic resonance thoracic ductography (MRTD) to assess the morphology of the thoracic duct in patients with primary lymphoedema. Methods: The study was conducted on nine patients with primary lymphoedema who were hospitalised at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (University of Tokyo Hospital) from September 2007 through April 2011. Results: The patients consisted of five men and four women, aged 20–54 years (mean age: 31.1 years). Five of them were in early-onset group and the rest were in late-onset group. In the 6 months prior to the onset of oedema, three of the four patients in the late-onset group had episodes of trauma near the areas which would later be affected by lymphoedema. MRTD showed no clear image of the thoracic duct in four of five patients in the early-onset group. Conclusions: MRTD assessment of patients diagnosed as ‘primary lymphoedema’ indicates that the pathogenetic mechanisms seen in late-onset patients are completely different from those found in early-onset patients, and may be classified as ‘traumatic lymphoedema.’ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Treatment for limb lymphedema is challenging. The recent development of the super-microsurgical technique has made lymphaticovenular (LV) anastomosis an easier and more accurate surgical method for lymphedema. A summary of our experience as well as recent developments in surgical treatments for lymphedema are described., Methods and Results: Ultra-microstructural analysis demonstrated that dysfunction of the lymphatics in lymphedema was caused by the degeneration and incomplete regeneration of smooth muscle cells and valve insufficiency in the lymphatic channel. ICG and infrared ray examinations have been proposed as new means of assessment of lymphatic function. LV anastomosis is suitable for genital edema, arm edema with severe phlegmone with leg edema, and early stage leg edema. Although pre- and postoperative compression therapy is generally required for limb edema, some cases do not require postoperative compression due to remaining or regenerated smooth muscle cells. As new methods of treatment, the vascularized lymphadiposal flap has been effective for progressive cases with LV anastomosis. LV anastomosis is also effective for congenital chyloabdomen. (*English Translation of J Jpn Coll Angiol 2008; 48: 173-178.).