Abstract
Background: Vascularized lymph node flap transfer is a recent approach used for the treatment of breast cancer-related upper limb lymphedema.
Objective: This work aims to evaluate the effect of vascularized lymph node transfer in the management of secondary upper extremity lymphedema.
Methods: a prospective randomized clinical study was conducted including 30 patients stage II-III breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) between December 2017 till June 2020. 15 patients underwent vascularized groin lymph node flap transfer (group B) using the axilla (n = 7) or distal placement (elbow/wrist) (n = 8) as a recipient site. 15 patients who were selected to undergo conservative therapy were used as controls. Intraoperatively, reverse lymphatic mapping using radioisotope or indocyanine green lymphography was performed to avoid iatrogenic lower extremity lymphatic injury. Outcomes were assessed using change of circumferential differentiation, volume reduction rate, and the change in episodes of cellulitis, pain, heaviness, and limb function.
Results: At a mean follow-up of 30.07±2.6 months, the mean improvement of circumferential differentiation of group B (VGLNT) was statistically greater than that of group A (conservative physical therapy) (8.3 ± 2.7 percent versus 2.1 ± 4.6; P < 0.01). The evaluation of each treatment showed a significant reduction of infection rate in group B compared with group A (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Vascularized groin lymph node flap transfer using the axilla or distal forearm as a recipient site is an effective and reliable approach for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema.