EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT FOR OBSTRUCTIVE LYMPHEDEMA BY TRANSPLANTATION OF FASCIAL FLAP RICHED IN LYMPH VESSELS

Objective To provide a more effective microsurgical treatment for obstructive lymphedema.Methods Sixty models of rabbits with lymphedema in right hindlimb were devided into three groups: 20 for fascial flap transplantation (group A), 20 for no treatment (group B) and 20 for anastomosis of lymph vessels and vein (group C) as control. For group A, the posterior branch of medial vein in the normal hindlimb was cut down together with the fascial strip (about 3 cm wide) around it and concomitant lymph vessels, then transferred through the block region of the affected limb. The two broken tips of the vein were anastomosed respectively to normal veins beside the block region. Subcutaneous tissue and skin were sutured at last. For group B, no treatment was carried out. But traditional anastomosis of lymph vessels and vein was used for group C. Postoperative variation of volume was observed and lymphoscintigraphy was made.Results The volume curve of the affected limb in group A kept declining after 2 weeks and nearing to that of the normal hindlimb in group B but away from that of the affected limb in group B. The curve of donor limb in group A was similar to that of the normal limb of group B, which meant no secondary lymphedema occurred in donor limb. The volume of the affected limb of group A had significant difference to that of group C at postoperative 24 weeks, which meant the effect of group A was better than C. The lymphatic drainage of the affected limb of group A was obviously better than B and C in lymphoscintigraphic image. Deposit of nuclein was lessened.Conclusion It was verified that the transplantation of vein-lymph vessels-fatty fascial flap had following advantages: decreased technical difficulty, better long-term effect, aost no chronic lymphedema occurred in donor site, extensive adaptation.