Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (LYMPHA) for primary surgical prevention of breast cancer‐related lymphedema: Over 4 years follow‐up |
| |
| Authors: | Francesco Boccardo M.D. Ph.D. Federico Casabona M.D. Franco DeCian M.D. Daniele Friedman M.D. Federica Murelli M.D. Maria Puglisi M.D. Corrado C. Campisi M.D. Lidia Molinari M.D. Stefano Spinaci M.D. Sara Dessalvi M.D. Corradino Campisi M.D. Ph.D. F.A.C.S. |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Surgery—Unit of Lymphatic Surgery, IRCCS S. Martino University Hospital—IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, University of Genoa, , 16132 Genoa, Italy;2. Department of Surgery—Unit of Gynecology, IRCCS S. Martino University Hospital—IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, University of Genoa, , 16132 Genoa, Italy;3. Department of Surgery—Unit of Surgical Oncology, IRCCS S. Martino University Hospital—IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, University of Genoa, , 16132 Genoa, Italy;4. Department of Surgery—Breast Unit, IRCCS S. Martino University Hospital—IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, University of Genoa, , 16132 Genoa, Italy;5. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, IRCCS S. Martino University Hospital—IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, University of Genoa, , 16132 Genoa, Italy |
| |
| Abstract: | Breast cancer‐related lymphedema (LE) represents an important morbidity that jeopardizes breast cancer patients' quality of life. Different attempts to prevent LE brought about improvements in the incidence of the pathology but LE still represents a frequent occurrence in breast cancer survivors. Over 4 years ago, Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (LYMPHA) was proposed and long‐term results are reported in this study. From July 2008 to December 2012, 74 patients underwent axillary nodal dissection for breast cancer treatment together with LYMPHA procedure. Volumetry was performed preoperatively in all patients and after 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and once a year. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 45 patients preoperatively and in 30 also postoperatively after at least over 1 year. Seventy one patients had no sign of LE, and volumetry was coincident to preoperative condition. In three patients, LE occurred after 8–12 months postoperatively. Lymphoscintigraphy showed the patency of lymphatic‐venous anastomoses at 1–4 years after operation. LYMPHA technique represents a successful surgical procedure for primary prevention of arm LE in breast cancer patients. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:421–424, 2014. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
