Objective To review the clinical progress of microsurgical management for lymphedema. Methods The literature on microsurgical treatment for lymphedema at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed and analyzed. Results At present, conservative treatment is the main treatment for lymphedema, which has limited effectiveness only for early stages of lymphedema; and it is not curative and demands patient compliance. In contrast, microsurgical approaches can solve the problems in the prevention or management of lymphedema and showed promising results, such as lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA), vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), and other lymphatic reconstructions. Conclusion Microsurgical approaches like LVA and VLNT have been broadly used in recent years, the effectiveness and safety have been proved. But the evidence of long-term randomized controlled studies is still required to establish standard treatment practices.
ObjectiveTo review the progress of treatment and prevention of breast cancer related lymphedema. MethodsThe recent literature concerning treatment and prevention of breast cancer related lymphedema was extensively consulted and reviewed. ResultsThe treatment of lymphedema is now based on complete decongestive therapy, supplemented with medicine and surgery. Those procedures have been proved to be safe and effective. Sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary reverse mapping, and lymphaticovenous anastomoses have been used to decrease the incidence of lymphedema. They show promising effectiveness in short term, but the long-term effectiveness needs further tests. ConclusionIn clinical practice, many treatment methods are used to decrease lymphedema, and lymphedema prevention is playing an increasingly important role. Lymphaticovenous anastomoses shows a promising effectiveness in reducing lymphedema.
By using biochemical assessment technique and histological examination,a comparative study of the cutaneous tissues in 16 patients with lymphedema of the lower extremity before and after the heating and bandage therapy, and it was noted thatthe heating and bandage therapy might:(1) the content of hydroxyproline in the affected skin would be decreased; (2) the thickness of skin was decreased and the water content was reduced; (3) the microcirculation of local tissues was enhanced, and (4) the activity of the macrophages was increased. In conjunction with the criteria of clinical observation, the action mechanism of heating and bandage therapy might be as follows: (1) improve the local microcirculation and enhance the resorption of tissue fluid and the protein, and (2) increase the activity of the macrophages, and minimize the extent of fibrosis of the affected tissues.
Objective To review the research progress of supraclavicular vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT). Methods The research literature related to supraclavicular VLNT at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the anatomy of supraclavicular lymph nodes, clinical applications, and complications of supraclavicular VLNT were summarized. Results The supraclavicular lymph nodes are anatomically constant, located in the posterior cervical triangle zone, and the blood supply comes mainly from the transverse cervical artery. There are individual differences in the number of supraclavicular lymph nodes, and preoperative ultrasonography is helpful to clarify the number of lymph nodes. Clinical studies have shown that supraclavicular VLNT can relieve limb swelling, reduce the incidence of infection, and improve quality of life in patients with lymphedema. And the effectiveness of supraclavicular VLNT can be improved by combined with lymphovenous anastomosis, resection procedures, and liposuction. ConclusionThere are a large number of supraclavicular lymph nodes, with abundant blood supply. It has been proven to be effective for any period of lymphedema, and the combined treatment is more effective. The more clinical studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of supraclavicular VLNT alone or in combination, as well as the surgical approach and timing of the combined treatment.
Thirteen cases of unilateral lymphedema of lower extremity were treated by the anastomosis between the suporficial and deep lymphaties. The rate of subeidence of edema at 2 weeks and 6 months after operation were 57.1±18.5%and 47.3± 22.9%, respectively, It was believed that this type of oporation had the advantageS of anastomosis on the tissues of same origin, unlikely occurrence of thrombosis at the anastomotic stoma, small incision, less surgical trauma and acceptable by patients.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effect of self-management intervention on the prevention and management of lymphedema in breast cancer patients. MethodsThe Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SinoMed, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect studies on self-management intervention on the prevention and management of lymphedema in breast cancer patients, from inception to June 16. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. ResultsA total of 37 references were included, comprising 25 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 12 controlled clinical trials (CCTs), and a total of 3 697 patients. There were 26 studies in the meta-analysis, and the results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, patients in the intervention group exhibited better performance in lymphedema management-related behaviors (SMD=2.65, 95%CI 1.53 to 3.78, P<0.01), symptoms related to lymphedema (SMD=−2.01, 95%CI −3.66 to −0.37, P<0.05), occurrence of lymphedema (RR=0.37, 95%CI 0.32 to 0.45, P<0.01), upper limb function (SMD=−1.88, 95%CI −2.83 to −0.92, P<0.01), quality of life (SMD=2.79, 95%CI 2.05 to 3.54, P<0.01), and the difference was statistically significant. The intervention mainly included information support, material support, emotional support and decision support. ConclusionThere are currently a variety of self-management interventions, but they mainly focus on information support. Self-management interventions can improve the self-management behavior of breast cancer patients with lymphedema and reduce the impact of lymphedema on patients.
There are various types of methods to treat lymphedema. A new pneumatic compression device have been developed. Thirty patients with lymphedema were treated by cyclic pneumatic compression device with satisfactory results. After treatment, the reduction in size of the edematous limbs was obvious. The indications, mechanism of action, advantages and drawbacks of the therapeutic method were discussed.
Abstract Sixty-four cases of upper limb lymphedema following radical operation of carcinoma of breast were treated by microwave therapy. The course of treatment was divided into two stages. Each stage was one hour a day for 20 days. Elastic band was put on the limb betweenevery therapy except the time of sleeping at night. After 1 months to 2 years follow-up, the results showed: symptoms disappeared obviously; the edema had gone down (Plt;0.01). The relapse frequency of erysipelas-like syndrome decreased obviously (Plt;0.01). The skin elasticity restored, and no complication appeared. It was concluded that microwave therapy was an effective conservative treatment in treating upper limb lymphedema following radical operaion of carcinoma of breast.
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors among women. Typically, the operation of breast cancer should include breast surgery and axillary lymph node surgery since breast cancer first metastasizes to regional axillary lymph nodes. However, postoperative breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) in upper limb is the most common long-term complication. The injury to upper limb lymphatic system contributes to causing the postoperative BCRL. Therefore, precision medicine in the extent of axillary lymph node surgery plays an important role in preventing BCRL which can improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients.
Objective To study a new method of treatment for upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy. Methods From Jun. 2001 to Sep. 2003, 11 cases(2with complication of erysipelas ) of upper limb lymphedema being treated with radical mastectomy for more than 2 years were used as model. All the edema of limbs was sucked from hypodermis with liposuction technique and compressed with compression garment. Three months after operation, elasticity stress was conducted every night. Results The reduction of the edema of upper limbswas remarkable. The average decrease of circumference was 4 cm. No erysipelas was observed. Conclusion The liposuction technique and elasticity stress is a new and effective approach to the treatment of upper limb lymphedema.