Objective:To investigate the effect of vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) combined with lymphatico-venous anastomosis (LVA) in the treatment of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.Methods:The data of patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery who were treated in the Department of Reconstructive and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatment methods, the patients were divided into LVA group and VLNT combined LVA group. Indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared lymphography was performed on all affected limbs before surgery. In the LVA group, according to the results of ICG lymphography, 4 to 5 levels of the affected limb were selected, Z shaped incisions were made and dissescted until the subcutaneous fat layer. End-to-end or end-to-side anastomosis was performed between lymphatic vessels and subcutaneous venules under the microscope. In the VLNT combined LVA group, the branches of brachial artery and vein in the axillary region were marked. The inguinal flap with the superficial iliac circumflex vessel pedicle and 4-5 lymph nodes was dissected. End-to-end anastomoses of the superficial iliac circumflex vessel pedicle with the branches of brachial artery and vein were performed in the axillary region of the affected limb. LVA was performed according to ICG lymphography, the same as in the LVA group. The skin and soft tissue condition of the affected limb and the blood supply of the flap in the VLNT combined LVA group were observed after operation. The circumference of the upper arm (from the wrist to 32 cm above the wrist, every 4 cm, a total of 9 levels of circumference) and upper limb volume were measured before and after operation. SPSS 24.0 was used for data processing and analysis. Measurement data were expressed Mean±SD. The data before and after operation in the same group were compared by paired samples t test, and the comparison between the two groups was conducted by independent samples t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 14 female patients were enrolled, with 7 patients in each group. All cases were unilateral lymphedema. There were no significant differences in age, stage of disease, limb circumference and limb volume between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). After operation, the skin and soft tissue condition of the affected limbs were good, and no complications such as erysipelas, cellulitis, or lymphangitis occurred. All flaps in the VLNT combined LVA group survived successfully, and the operation wounds healed well. There were no complications such as infection and necrosis of the flaps. One year after operation, the circumference and volume of the affected limb in the two groups were improved to varying degrees, and the circumference of the affected limb (wrist, upper wrist 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 cm levels) in the VLNT combined LVA group was significantly smaller than that before operation ( P<0.01). In the LVA group, the circumference of the affected limb (wrist, upper wrist 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 cm levels) after operation was significantly smaller than that before operation ( P<0.05). The limb volumes of both groups were significantly reduced ( P<0.05). The comparison between the two groups showed that the reduction degree of postoperative affected limb cricumference (at the levels of 24, 28 and 32 cm above the wrist) and volume in the VLNT combined LVA group were more significant than those in the LVA group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with LVA alone, VLNT combined with LVA is more effective in the treatment of patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.

Objective:To investigate the effect of vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) combined with lymphatico-venous anastomosis (LVA) in the treatment of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.Methods:The data of patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery who were treated in the Department of Reconstructive and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatment methods, the patients were divided into LVA group and VLNT combined LVA group. Indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared lymphography was performed on all affected limbs before surgery. In the LVA group, according to the results of ICG lymphography, 4 to 5 levels of the affected limb were selected, Z shaped incisions were made and dissescted until the subcutaneous fat layer. End-to-end or end-to-side anastomosis was performed between lymphatic vessels and subcutaneous venules under the microscope. In the VLNT combined LVA group, the branches of brachial artery and vein in the axillary region were marked. The inguinal flap with the superficial iliac circumflex vessel pedicle and 4-5 lymph nodes was dissected. End-to-end anastomoses of the superficial iliac circumflex vessel pedicle with the branches of brachial artery and vein were performed in the axillary region of the affected limb. LVA was performed according to ICG lymphography, the same as in the LVA group. The skin and soft tissue condition of the affected limb and the blood supply of the flap in the VLNT combined LVA group were observed after operation. The circumference of the upper arm (from the wrist to 32 cm above the wrist, every 4 cm, a total of 9 levels of circumference) and upper limb volume were measured before and after operation. SPSS 24.0 was used for data processing and analysis. Measurement data were expressed Mean±SD. The data before and after operation in the same group were compared by paired samples t test, and the comparison between the two groups was conducted by independent samples t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 14 female patients were enrolled, with 7 patients in each group. All cases were unilateral lymphedema. There were no significant differences in age, stage of disease, limb circumference and limb volume between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). After operation, the skin and soft tissue condition of the affected limbs were good, and no complications such as erysipelas, cellulitis, or lymphangitis occurred. All flaps in the VLNT combined LVA group survived successfully, and the operation wounds healed well. There were no complications such as infection and necrosis of the flaps. One year after operation, the circumference and volume of the affected limb in the two groups were improved to varying degrees, and the circumference of the affected limb (wrist, upper wrist 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 cm levels) in the VLNT combined LVA group was significantly smaller than that before operation ( P<0.01). In the LVA group, the circumference of the affected limb (wrist, upper wrist 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 cm levels) after operation was significantly smaller than that before operation ( P<0.05). The limb volumes of both groups were significantly reduced ( P<0.05). The comparison between the two groups showed that the reduction degree of postoperative affected limb cricumference (at the levels of 24, 28 and 32 cm above the wrist) and volume in the VLNT combined LVA group were more significant than those in the LVA group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with LVA alone, VLNT combined with LVA is more effective in the treatment of patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.