OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress of rodent models of secondary lymphedema (SL) and provide a reference for selecting appropriate animal models in SL research. METHODS: Recent literature on rodent SL models at home and abroad was comprehensively analyzed, summarizing model categories, development techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. RESULTS: Current research primarily utilizes rats and mice to establish SL models. The main model types include hind limb, forelimb, tail, and head/neck models. The hind limb model is the most frequently employed, typically requiring surgery combined with irradiation to induce stable chronic edema. Forelimb models primarily simulate upper limb lymphedema, but exhibit relatively rapid edema resolution. Tail models offer operational simplicity and are predominantly used for studying acute edema mechanisms and interventions; however, they demonstrate poor clinical relevance. Emerging head/neck models provide a valuable tool for investigating head and neck cancer-associated lymphedema. These models exhibit variations in lymphedema duration, degree of fibrosis, and edema incidences. CONCLUSION Existing models still fall short in faithfully replicating the chronicity, fibrosis, fat deposition, and complex microenvironment characteristic of human chronic lymphedema. Future research must integrate multidisciplinary approaches, optimize model construction strategies, and explore novel modeling approaches to more accurately mimic the human disease and advance SL prevention and treatment research.
Lymphedema/pathology* ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Rats ; Mice ; Humans ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/complications* ; Rodentia

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: To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a foldable pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to repair soft tissue defects in the shoulder and back. METHODS: Between August 2018 and January 2023, the foldable pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps were used to repair soft tissue defects in the shoulder and back of 8 patients. There were 5 males and 3 females with the age ranged from 21 to 56 years (mean, 35.4 years). Wounds were located in the shoulder in 2 cases and in the shoulder and back in 6 cases. The causes of injury were chronic infection of skin and bone exposure in 2 cases, secondary wound after extensive resection of skin and soft tissue tumor in 4 cases, and wound formation caused by traffic accident in 2 cases. Skin defect areas ranged from 14 cm×13 cm to 20 cm×16 cm. The disease duration ranged from 12 days to 1 year (median, 6.6 months). A pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was designed and harvested. The flap was divided into A/B flap and then were folded to repair the wound, with the donor area of the flap being pulled and sutured in one stage. RESULTS: All 7 flaps survived, with primary wound healing. One patient suffered from distal flap necrosis and delayed healing was achieved after dressing change. The incisions of all donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6 months to 4 years (mean, 24.7 months). The skin flap has a good appearance with no swelling in the pedicle. At last follow-up, 6 patients had no significant difference in bilateral shoulder joint motion, and 2 patients had a slight decrease in abduction range of motion compared with the healthy side. The patients' daily life were not affected, and linear scar was left in the donor site. CONCLUSION The foldable pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is an ideal method to repair the soft tissue defect of shoulder and back with simple operation, less damage to the donor site, and quick recovery after operation.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Myocutaneous Flap/surgery* ; Shoulder/surgery* ; Skin Transplantation ; Superficial Back Muscles/transplantation* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Wound Healing ; Treatment Outcome ; Perforator Flap

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of plantar medial thin skin flaps preserving plantar fascia with its superficial fascia tissue to repair skin defects in hands and feet. METHODS: Between July 2017 and January 2023, 35 cases of hand and foot defects were repaired with plantar medial thin skin flaps preserving plantar fascia with its superficial fascia tissue (13 pedicled flaps and 22 free flaps). There were 18 males and 17 females, with an average age of 38.8 years (range, 8-56 years). Thirty cases of defects were caused by trauma, and the interval between injury and admission ranged from 2 to 6 hours (mean, 3.3 hours). Three cases were ulcer wounds with a course of 3.0, 3.8, and 7.0 months, respectively. Two cases were malignant melanoma. Eight cases of wounds located in the fingers, 13 cases in the palm, 12 cases in the heel, and 2 cases in the distal foot. The size of skin defects ranged from 4.0 cm×3.5 cm to 12.0 cm×10.0 cm, and the size of flap ranged from 5.0 cm×4.5 cm to 13.0 cm×11.0 cm. The donor sites were repaired with skin grafts. RESULTS: All flaps were survived and the wounds healed by first intention after operation. The partial necrosis at the edge of the skin graft occurred in 1 case, which healed after dressing change; the other skin grafts survived successfully. All patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 18 months). The flaps exhibited similar color and thickness to the surrounding hand and foot skin. Two-point discrimination ranged from 7 to 10 mm in the flaps with an average of 8 mm. The donor sites had no painful scars or sensory abnormalities. Foot and ankle functions were good and gaits were normal. CONCLUSION Application of plantar medial thin skin flaps preserving plantar fascia with its superficial fascia tissue to repair skin defects in hands and feet had good flap shape, high survival rate of skin graft at the donor site, and no obvious complications.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Subcutaneous Tissue/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Skin Transplantation ; Fascia ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Perforator Flap

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) local transplantation on orthodontically induced root resorption (OIRR) and provide theoretical and experimental basis for the clinical application of hADSCs to inhibit OIRR. METHODS: Forty 8-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 20 rats in each group, to establish the first molar mesial orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) model of rat right maxillary. The rats in the experimental group were injected with 25 μL of cell suspension containing 2.5×10 ⁵ hADSCs on the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 12th day of modeling, while the rats in the control group were injected with 25 μL of PBS. The rat maxillary models were obtained before and after 7 and 14 days of force application, and 10 rats in each group were killed and sampled after 7 and 14 days of force application. The OTM distance was measured by stereomicroscope, the root morphology of the pressure side was observed by scanning electron microscope and the root resorption area ratio was measured. The root resorption and periodontal tissue remodeling of the pressure side were observed by HE staining and the root resorption index was calculated. The number of cementoclast and osteoclast in the periodontal tissue on the pressure side was counted by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining. RESULTS: The TOM distance of both groups increased with the extension of the force application time, and there was no significant difference ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in OTM distance between the experimental group and the control group after 7 and 14 days of force application ( P>0.05). Scanning electron microscope observation showed that small and shallow scattered resorption lacunae were observed on the root surface of the experimental group and the control group after 7 days of force application, and there was no significant difference in the root resorption area ratio between the two groups ( P>0.05); after 14 days of application, the root resorption lacunae deepened and became larger in both groups, and the root resorption area ratio in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). The range and depth of root absorption in the experimental group were smaller and shallower than those in the control group, and the root absorption index in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group after 14 days of force application ( P<0.05). The number of cementoclast in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group after 7 and 14 days of force application ( P<0.05); the number of osteoclasts in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group after 14 days of force application ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Local transplantation of hADSCs may reduce the area and depth of root resorption by reducing the number of cementoclasts and osteoclasts during OTM in rats, thereby inhibiting orthodontic-derived root resorption.
Rats ; Male ; Humans ; Animals ; Root Resorption/therapy* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Osteoclasts ; Tooth Movement Techniques ; Stem Cells

Objective:To explore the occurrence and risk factors of interstitial pneumonia (IP) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after the treatment of CHOP-like regimens containing liposomal doxorubicin.Methods:The clinical data of 145 newly diagnosed and newly treated DLBCL patients who were admitted to the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2013 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, of which 73 cases were treated with RCDOP regimen containing liposomal doxorubicin, and 72 cases were treated with RCHOP regimen. The incidence of IP was compared between the two groups, and the risk factors of IP were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.Results:In 145 patients, 34 patients (23.4%) developed IP; most cases of IP occurred during 3 to 5 cycles of chemotherapy, accounting for 79.4% (27/34); when IP occurred, the median cycles of chemotherapy was 4 cycles. The incidence of IP in RCDOP regimen group and RCHOP regimen group were 31.5% (23/73) and 15.3% (11/72), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 5.319, P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the application of liposomal doxorubicin ( OR = 2.416, 95% CI 1.059-5.509, P = 0.036) and age ≥60 years old ( OR = 2.505, 95% CI 1.127-5.567, P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of IP. Conclusions:The application of liposomal doxorubicin is a risk factor for the occurrence of IP in DLBCL patients. The prevention and monitoring of IP should be strengthened after 4 cycles of treatment with RCDOP regimen, especially for patient ≥ 60 years of age.