scholarly journals Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventive Healing Approach (LYMPHA) for Lymphedema Prevention after Axillary Lymph Node Dissection—A Single Institution Experience and Feasibility of Technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Kelsey Lipman ◽  
Anna Luan ◽  
Kimberly Stone ◽  
Irene Wapnir ◽  
Mardi Karin ◽  
...  

While surgical options exist to treat lymphedema after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), the lymphatic microsurgical preventive healing approach (LYMPHA) has been introduced as a preventive measure performed during the primary surgery, thus avoiding the morbidity associated with lymphedema. Here, we highlight details of our operative technique and review postoperative outcomes. For our patients, limb measurements and body composition analyses were performed pre- and postoperatively. Intraoperatively, axillary reverse lymphatic mapping was performed with indocyanine green (ICG) and lymphazurin. SPY-PHI imaging was used to visualize the ICG uptake into axillary lymphatics. Cut lymphatics from excised nodes were preserved for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA). At the completion of the microanastomosis, ICG was visualized draining from the lymphatic through the recipient vein. A retrospective review identified nineteen patients who underwent complete or partial mastectomy with ALND and subsequent LYMPHA over 19 months. The number of LVAs performed per patient ranged between 1–4 per axilla. The operating time ranged from 32–95 min. There were no surgical complications, and thus far one patient developed mild lymphedema with an average follow up of 10 months. At the clinic follow up, ICG and SPY angiography were used to confirm intact lymphatic conduits with an uptake of ICG across the axilla. This study supports LYMPHA as a feasible and effective method for lymphedema prevention.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengyu Luo, ◽  
Guang Cao ◽  
Wenbin Guo ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
Qiuru Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Longer follow-up was necessary to testify the exact value of mastoscopic axillary lymph node dissection (MALND).Methods:From January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005, 1027 patients with breast cancer were randomly assigned to two groups: MALND and CALND (conventional axillary lymph node dissection). 996 eligible patients were enrolled.Results:The final cohort of 996 patients was followed for an average of 198 months. The events other than death differed significantly between the two cohorts(p=0.0311) (46.3% in MALND and 53.2% in CALND, respectively). The sum of the events other than death and deaths from other causes was much more in CALND (59.6%)than in MALND (53.4%)(p=0.0494). The 17-year DFS rates were 36.7 percent for MALND group and 33.6 percent for CALND group,respectively. There was a significant difference between the groups (p=.0306). The OS rates were 53.2 percent after MALND and 46.0 percent after CALND ( p= .0119). The MALND patients had much less axillary pain (p =. 0000), numbness or paresthesia (p = .0000) ,arm mobility (p =. 0000), and arm swelling on operated side (p = .0000). The aesthetic appearance of axilla in MALND group was much better than that in CALND group (p =. 0000) at an average follow-up of 17-year.Conclusions:The use of MALND in breast cancer surgery not only decreases the relapse and arm complications but also improves long-term survival of patients. Therefore, MALND should be one of the preferred approaches for breast cancer surgery when ALND is needed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 563-563
Author(s):  
Tolga Ozmen ◽  
Mesa Lazaro ◽  
Yan Zhou ◽  
Alicia Vinyard ◽  
Eli Avisar

563 Background: Lymphedema (LE) is a serious complication of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with an incidence rate of 16%. Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (LYMPHA) has been proposed as an effective adjunct to ALND for the prevention of LE. This procedure however requires microsurgical techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of Simplified-LYMPHA (SLYMPHA) in preventing LE in a prospective cohort of patients. Methods: All patients, undergoing ALND with or without SLYMPHA between January 2014 and December 2016 were included in the study. SLYMPHA is a slightly modified and simplified version of LYMPHA. It is performed by the operating surgeon performing the ALND. One or more lymphatic channels identified by reverse arm mapping are inserted using a sleeve technique into the cut end of a neighboring vein. During follow-up visits, tape-measuring limb circumference method was used to detect clinical LE. Demographic, clinical, surgical and pathologic factors were recorded. The incidence of clinical LE was compared between ALND with and without SLYMPHA. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess the role of other factors in the appearance of clinical LE. Results: 406 patients were included in the study. SLYMPHA procedure was attempted in 81 patients and was completed successfully in 90% of patients. Early complication rates were similar between patients who underwent SLYMPHA and who did not (4% vs. 4.13%; p = 0.948). Median follow-up time was 15±13.73 [1-32] months. Patients, who underwent SLYMPHA, had a significantly lower rate of clinical LE both in univariate and multivariate analysis (3% vs 19%; p = 0.001; OR 0.12 [0.03-0.5]). Excising > 22 lymph nodes and a co-diagnosis of diabetes were also correlated with higher clinical LE rates on univariate analysis, but only excising > 22 lymph nodes remained to be significant on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: SLYMPHA is a safe and relatively simple method, which decreases incidence of clinical LE dramatically. It should be considered as an adjunct procedure to ALND for all patients during initial surgery.


2013 ◽  
Vol 154 (49) ◽  
pp. 1934-1942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ákos Sávolt ◽  
Patrick Musonda ◽  
Zoltán Mátrai ◽  
Csaba Polgár ◽  
Ferenc Rényi-Vámos ◽  
...  

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node biopsy alone has become an acceptable alternative to elective axillary lymph node dissection in patients with clinically node-negative early-stage breast cancer. Approximately 70 percent of the patients undergoing breast surgery develop side effects caused by the axillary lymph node dissection (axillary pain, shoulder stiffness, lymphedema and paresthesias). Aim: The current standard treatment is to perform completion axillary lymph node dissection in patients with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy. However, randomized clinical trials of axillary dissection versus axillary irradiation failed to show survival differences between the two types of axillary treatment. The National Institute of Oncology, Budapest conducted a single centre randomized clinical study. The OTOASOR (Optimal Treatment of the Axilla – Surgery or Radiotherapy) trial compares completion axillary lymph node dissection to axillary nodal irradiation in patients with sentinel lymph node-positive primary invasive breast cancer. Method: Patients with primary invasive breast cancer (clinically lymph node negative and less than or equal to 3 cm in size) were randomized before surgery for completion axillary lymph node dissection (arm A–standard treatment) or axillary nodal irradiation (arm B–investigational treatment). Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed by the radio-guided method. The use of blue-dye was optional. Sentinel lymph nodes were investigated with serial sectioning at 0.5 mm levels by haematoxylin and eosin staining. In the investigational treatment arm patients received 50Gy axillary nodal irradiation instead of completion axillary lymph node dissection. Adjuvant treatment was recommended and patients were followed up according to the actual institutional guidelines. Results: Between August 2002 and June 2009, 2106 patients were randomized for completion axillary lymph node dissection (1054 patients) or axillary nodal irradiation (1052 patients). The two arms were well balanced according to the majority of main prognostic factors. Sentinel lymph node was identified in 2073 patients (98.4%) and was positive in 526 patients (25.4%). Fifty-two sentinel lymph node-positive patients were excluded from the study (protocol violation, patient’s preference). Out of the remaining 474 patients, 244 underwent completion axillary lymph node dissection and 230 received axillary nodal irradiation according to randomization. The mean length of follow-up to the first event and the mean total length of follow-up were 41.9 and 43.3 months, respectively, and there were no significant differences between the two arms. There was no significant difference in axillary recurrence between the two arms (0.82% in arm A and 1.3% in arm B). There was also no significant difference in terms of overall survival between the arms at the early stage follow-up. Conclusions: The authors conclude that after a mean follow-up of more than 40 months axillary nodal irradiation may control the disease in the axilla as effectively as completion axillary lymph node dissection and there was also no difference in terms of overall survival. Orv. Hetil., 154(49), 1934–1942.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 514-514
Author(s):  
Tolga Ozmen ◽  
Christina Layton ◽  
Orli Friedman-Eldar ◽  
Siarhei Melnikau ◽  
Susan Kesmodel ◽  
...  

514 Background: Lymphedema (LE) is a serious complication of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with an incidence rate of 16%. SLYMPHA is a safe and relatively simple method, which decreases incidence of LE dramatically. Our initial study showed an 88% decrease in clinical LE rate after a median follow up of 15 months. The aim of this study was to confirm these results after a longer follow up period. Methods: All patients, undergoing ALND between January 2014 and November 2020 were included in the study. During follow-up visits, tape-measuring limb circumference method was used to detect clinical LE. The incidence of clinical LE was compared between patients with and without SLYMPHA. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess the role of other factors in the appearance of clinical LE. Results: 580 patients were included in the study. 35% of cohort underwent SLYMPHA. Mean follow-up time was 44 ±31.9 months. Patients, who underwent SLYMPHA, had a significantly lower LE rate (10% vs 26%; p=0.002; OR 0.4 [0.31-0.77]). Diabetes and removing ³22 lymph nodes also correlated with increased LE however this effect disappeared on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: SLYMPHA is a safe and relatively simple method, which continued its efficacy after 4-years follow up. It should be considered as an adjunct procedure to ALND for all patients during initial surgery.[Table: see text]


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