Healty | Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer for Lymphedema

Vascularized lymph node transfer is the latest surgical pick for the handling of lymphedema. The physical care for was commencement described several years agone together with has continued to evolve since then. It is directly gaining popularity for the handling of arm lymphedema inwards pectus cancer survivors that create non reply to conservative (non-surgical) therapy. The results possess got been quite exciting.


In the instance of arm lymphedema caused past times pectus cancer surgical operation or radiation, a vascularized lymph node transfer moves good for yous lymph nodes, unremarkably from the upper-outer groin, to the underarm surface area (axilla). These good for yous nodes compensate for the lymph nodes removed or damaged past times the pectus cancer treatment.

The lymph nodes from the upper-outer groin tin live transplanted connected to a DIEP flap at the same fourth dimension every bit pectus reconstruction, or every bit a kind slice of tissue if DIEP flap pectus reconstruction is non beingness performed at the same time. These lymph nodes are to a greater extent than superficial than the deeper groin lymph nodes that are of import for lymphatic drainage of the leg.


Lymph node transfer is non the solely surgical pick for lymphedema. Other surgical options include soft tissue resection, liposuction, together with lymphatico-venous or lymphatico-venule anastomoses (connecting the lymphatic organisation to the venous organisation to encourage drainage).

Of all the procedures described to care for lymphedema, vascularized lymph node transfer is showing the most exciting results inwards terms of decreasing swelling, preventing infections together with reducing the necessitate for compression therapy. Patients tin sense improvement inwards their symptoms real rapidly afterwards surgical operation though it tin possess got several months inwards or thus cases.

As amongst all surgery, at that spot are risks too. In add-on to the risks of whatsoever surgical operation (bleeding, infection, injure healing issues), the lymph nodes may non last together with the lymphedema tin worsen because of farther scarring created past times the surgery. There is also a conduct chances of creating leg swelling if deep groin lymph nodes are taken. Thankfully, the conduct chances of these complications is real low.

Only patients that possess got exhausted all conservative therapy past times certified lymphedema specialists are considered candidates for vascularized lymph node transfer.

Unfortunately, most insurance companies yet watch the physical care for experimental together with create non currently encompass the terms of lymph node transfer.

I promise this information helps.

Dr C

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Dr C is a board certified plastic surgeon together with microsurgeon specializing inwards state-of-the-art pectus reconstruction. In-Network for most U.S. insurance plans. Patients welcomed from across together with exterior the US. Please telephone telephone (800) 692-5565 or email patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to larn to a greater extent than close your pectus reconstruction options.

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