Vascularized Free Lymph Node Flap Transfer in Advanced Lymphedema Patient after Axillary Lymph Node Dissection.
- Author:
Kyung Hoon COOK
1
;
Myong Chul PARK
;
Il Jae LEE
;
Seong Yoon LIM
;
Yong Sik JUNG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Breast neoplasms; Lipectomy; Lymphedema; Mastectomy; Vascularized composite allotransplantation
- MeSH: Breast Neoplasms; Edema; Fibrosis; Humans; Lipectomy; Lymph Node Excision*; Lymph Nodes*; Lymphedema*; Mastectomy; Skin; Toes; Ulcer; Upper Extremity; Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer 2016;19(1):92-95
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Lymphedema is a condition characterized by tissue swelling caused by localized fluid retention. Advanced lymphedema is characterized by irreversible skin fibrosis (stage IIIb) and nonpitting edema, with leather-like skin, skin crypts, and ulcers with or without involvement of the toes (stage IVa and IVb, respectively). Recently, surgical treatment of advanced lymphedema has been a challenging reconstructive modality. Microvascular techniques such as lymphaticovenous anastomosis and vascularized lymph node flap transfer are effective for early stage lymphedema. In this study, we performed a two-stage operation in an advanced lymphedema patient. First, a debulking procedure was performed using liposuction. A vascularized free lymph node flap transfer was then conducted 10 weeks after the first operation. In this case, good results were obtained, with reduced circumferences in various parts of the upper extremity noted immediately postoperation.
