OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of single-stage vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) combined with lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) and liposuction (LS) (3L) versus LVA combined with LS (2L) for the treatment of moderate-to-late stage upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 16 patients with moderate-to-late stage upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery, treated between June 2022 and June 2024, who met the selection criteria. Patients were divided into 3L group (n=7) and 2L group (n=9) based on the surgical approach. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in baseline data between the groups, including age, body mass index, duration of edema, volume of liposuction, International Society of Lymphology (ISL) stage, preoperative affected limb volume, preoperative circumferences of the affected limb at 12 levels (from 4 cm distal to the wrist to 42 cm proximal to the wrist), preoperative Lymphoedema Quality of Life (LYMQoL) score, and frequency of cellulitis episodes. The 2L group underwent LS on the upper arm and proximal forearm and LVA on the middle and distal forearm. The 3L group received additional VLNT in the axilla, with the groin serving as the donor site. Outcomes were assessed included the change in affected limb volume at 12 months postoperatively, and comparisons of limb circumferences, LYMQoL score, and frequency of cellulitis episodes between preoperative and 12-month postoperative. Ultrasound evaluation was performed at 12 months in the 3L group to assess lymph node viability. RESULTS: Both groups were followed up 12-20 months, with an average of 15.13 months. There was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the groups (t=-1.115, P=0.284). All surgical incisions healed by first intention. No adverse events, such as flap infection or necrosis, occurred in the 3L group. At 12 months after operation, ultrasound confirmed good viability of the transferred lymph nodes in the 3L group. Palpation revealed significant improvement in skin fibrosis and improved skin softness in both groups. Affected limb volume significantly decreased in both groups postoperatively (P<0.05). The reduction in limb volume significantly greater in the 3L group compared to the 2L group (P<0.05). Circumferences at all 12 measured levels significantly decreased in both groups compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). The reduction in circumference at all 12 levels was better in the 3L group than in the 2L group, with significant differences observed at 7 levels (8, 12, 16, 30, 34, 38, and 42 cm) proximal to the wrist (P<0.05). Both groups showed significant improvement in the frequency of cellulitis episodes and LYMQoL scores postoperatively (P<0.05). While the improvement in LYMQoL scores at 12 months did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05), the reduction in cellulitis episodes was significantly greater in the 3L group compared to the 2L group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of VLNT+LVA+LS provides more durable and comprehensive outcomes for moderate-to-late stage upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery compared to LVA+LS, offering an improved therapeutic solution for patients.
Humans ; Female ; Lipectomy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods* ; Lymphedema/etiology* ; Middle Aged ; Upper Extremity/surgery* ; Breast Neoplasms/surgery* ; Lymph Nodes/blood supply* ; Adult ; Lymphatic Vessels/surgery* ; Iliac Artery/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications/surgery* ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Treatment Outcome ; Mastectomy/adverse effects* ; Quality of Life ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity lymphedema adversely affects quality of life by causing discomfort, impaired mobility and increased risk of infection. The goal of this study is to investigate factors that influence the likelihood of lymphedema in patients with endometrial cancer who undergo adjuvant radiation with or without chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified all stage I-III endometrial cancer patients who had a hysterectomy with or without complete staging lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiation therapy between January 2006 and February 2013. Patients with new-onset lymphedema after treatment were identified. Logistic regression was used to find factors that influenced lymphedema risk. RESULTS: Of 212 patients who met inclusion criteria, 15 patients (7.1%) developed new-onset lymphedema. Lymphedema was associated with lymph-node dissection (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% CI, 1.01 to 105.5; p=0.048) and with the presence of pathologically positive lymph nodes (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.4 to 12.3; p=0.01). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed the association with lymph-node positivity (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.0007 to 10.7; p=0.0499) when controlled for lymph-node dissection. Median time to lymphedema onset was 8 months (range, 1 to 58 months) with resolution or improvement in eight patients (53.3%) after a median of 10 months. CONCLUSION: Lymph-node positivity was associated with an increased risk of lymphedema in endometrial cancer patients who received adjuvant radiation. Future studies are needed to explore whether node-positive patients may benefit from early lymphedema-controlling interventions.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endometrial Neoplasms/*radiotherapy/surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymph Node Excision/adverse effects ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphedema/*etiology/therapy ; Middle Aged ; Radiation Injuries/*etiology/therapy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Hennekam syndrome (HS) is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by defective lymphatic development. A 34-month-old boy with HS and who had unexplained developmental retardation and hypoalbuminemia as main clinical manifestations is reported here. He had a history of generalized edema and poor feeding. He was not thriving well. He manifested as facial anomalies (hypertelorism, flat nasal bridge and flat face), fracture of teeth, and superficial lymph nodes enlargement. He had low serum total protein, low serum albumin, and low serum immunoglobulin levels. Duodenal bulb biopsy revealed lymphangiectasia. Color Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and CT scan showed multi-site lymphangioma, and HS was thus confirmed. Mutations in CCBE1 and FAT4 have been found responsible for the syndrome in a part of patients. Diagnosis of the disease depends on the familial history, clinical signs, pathological findings and genetic tests.
Child, Preschool ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Genital Diseases, Male ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymphangiectasis, Intestinal ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Lymphedema ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the postoperative complications in patients with endometrial carcinoma undergoing surgical operation in different modes and to explore the surgical safety of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

METHODSTwo hundred and nineteen patients with endometrial cancer treated in our hospital between May 2006 and April 2012 were included in this study. Their clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 65 patients received total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH+BSO group), 54 patients received TAH and BSO and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLX group), and 100 patients received TAH and BSO and PLX and para-aortic lymph node dissection (PALX group). The surgical procedures and postoperative complications in different operation modes were analyzed.

RESULTSThe operation time was (114.84 ± 6.45) min in the TAH+BSO group, (182.94 ± 6.62) min in the PLX group, and (188.27 ± 5.77) min in the PALX group. The operation time in the TAH+BSO group was significantly shorter than that in the PLX and PALX group (P < 0.001). The amount of blood loss was (222.97 ± 38.42) ml in the TAH+BSO group, (311.80 ± 21.62) ml in the PLX group, and (391.51 ± 53.20) ml in the PALX group. respectively. The amount of blood loss in the TAH+BSO was significantly less than that in the PLX and PALX group (P = 0.009). Lymphedema of the lower extremities was the most frequent complication of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and the incidence rate was 31.8%. Lymphocyst was the second frequent complication, with an incidence rate of 27.3%. The incidence rate of ileus in the PALX group was significantly higher than that in the PLX group (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence rate of lymphedema, lymphocyst and deep vein thrombosis between the PALX and PLX groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRetroperitoneal lymph node dissection is an acceptable operation mode, although slightly increasing the incidence of ileus, compared with the TAH+BSO group. It is needed to choose appropriate indication in order to decrease the post-operative complications.

Adult ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; pathology ; surgery ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Lymph Node Excision ; adverse effects ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphedema ; etiology ; Lymphocele ; etiology ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Ovariectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Pelvis ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Foot Diseases ; complications ; microbiology ; Humans ; Lymphedema ; etiology ; therapy ; Mycoses ; complications ; microbiology

Acupuncture Therapy ; Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphedema ; etiology ; therapy ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; therapy

PURPOSE: To inform on shoulder pathology and to identify the disabilities and level of quality of life (QOL) associated with shoulder pain in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using patient history, physical examination, and ultrasound (US), we classified patients with BCRL into the following three groups: no pain with normal ultrasound (US), pain with normal US, and pain with abnormal US. We evaluated shoulder pathology using US, pain intensity using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and functional disability using the Korean version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. For assessment of QOL, we used the Korean version of the brief form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: 28.9% of patients had no pain and normal US, 31.6% had pain with normal US, and 39.5% had pain with abnormal US. The US findings for those with pain and abnormal US revealed the following: 53.3% had a supraspinatus tear, 13.3% had biceps tenosynovitis, 13.3% had acromioclavicular arthritis, 13.3% had subdeltoid bursitis, and 53.3% had adhesive capsulitis. Patients with shoulder pain and abnormal US findings had significantly higher mean DASH and pain scores. Pain scores were positively correlated with DASH scores and negatively correlated with QOL. CONCLUSION: We found that BCRL with shoulder pain and evidence of shoulder pathology on US was associated with reduced QOL and increased disability. Proper diagnosis and treatment of shoulder pain are necessary to improve QOL and decrease disability in patients with BCRL.
Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/*complications ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphedema/*complications/ultrasonography ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects ; Quality of Life ; Shoulder Pain/*etiology/ultrasonography

INTRODUCTIONLymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) has been described as a treatment of chronic lymphoedema. This microsurgical technique is new and technically difficult. The small caliber and thin wall lymphatic vessels are difficult to identify and easily destroyed during the dissection.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe describe a technique of performing lymphaticovenular anastomosis with patent blue dye enhancement. Our patient is a 50-year-old lady who suffers from chronic lymphoedema of the upper limb after mastectomy and axillary clearance for breast cancer 8 years ago.

RESULTSPatent blue dye is injected subdermally and is taken up readily by the draining lymphatic channels. This allows for easy identification of their course. The visualisation of the lumen of the lymphatic vessel facilitates microsurgical anastomosis. The patency of the anastomosis is also demonstrated by the dynamic pumping action of the lymphatic within the vessels.

CONCLUSIONPatent blue dye staining during lymphaticovenular anastomosis is a simple, effective and safe method for mapping suitable subdermal lymphatics, allowing for speedier dissection of the lymphatic vessels intraoperatively. This technique also helps in the confirmation of the success of the lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Coloring Agents ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Lymphedema ; etiology ; surgery ; Mastectomy ; adverse effects ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Rosaniline Dyes ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

INTRODUCTIONLymphoedema results from impaired lymphatic transport leading to the pathologic accumulation of protein-rich lymphatic fluid in the interstitial space, most commonly in the extremities. Primary lymphoedema, a developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system, may become evident later in life when a triggering event exceeds the capacity of normal lymphatic flow.

CLINICAL PICTUREWe present a 3-year-old nephrotic syndrome patient with an unusual localisation for primary lymphoedema.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOMEThe patient was treated with conservative approach and she was cured.

CONCLUSIONIn this particular case, lymphoedema developed at an unusual localisation, which has not been recorded before.

Albumins ; administration & dosage ; Child, Preschool ; Diuretics ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Furosemide ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Lymphedema ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; complications ; Oliguria ; etiology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the emotional state and related factors in patients with lymphedema. METHODS: The subjects of this study consisted of 95 patients with lymphedema at 8 hospitals in Busan and Seoul. Data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire between March 2001 to December 2001. Data was analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS Win 12.0. RESULTS: The mean score of the emotional state of the subjects was 3.06; of their physical symptoms, 1.84; of their Activities of Daily Living(ADLs), 2.30; and of their social activities, 3.67. The emotional states of lymphedema patients correlated with their physical symptoms, their ADLs, and their social activities. The Factor influencing the emotional state of the subjects was social activities. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a negative emotional state is very common in patients with lymphedema, to which appropriate attention should be given. Rehabilitation programs must be implemented to improve lymphedema patients' emotional state, physical symptoms, ADLs, and social activities.
Activities of Daily Living ; Affective Symptoms ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/complications/diagnosis/psychology ; *Emotions ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphedema/diagnosis/etiology/*psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; Sickness Impact Profile ; Social Behavior ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/complications/diagnosis/psychology