The 6 month interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial assessing the quality of life in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema undergoing lymphaticovenous anastomosis vs. conservative therapy
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SUBMITTER: Jonis Y
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10817972 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Primary lymphedema is usually caused by intrinsic disruption or genetic damage to the lymphatics but may also be the result of age-related deterioration of the lymphatics. The aims of this study were to determine the characteristics of age-related lymphedema and to assess the effectiveness of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in its treatment. Eighty-six patients with primary lymphedema affecting 150 lower limbs were divided into three groups according to whether the age of onset was younger than 35 years, 35-64 years, or 65 years or older. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was performed, followed by LVA surgery. ICG lymphography images were visually classified according to whether the pattern was linear, low enhancement (LE), distal dermal backflow (dDB), or extended dermal backflow (eDB). The lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) index score was calculated before and after LVA. Lymphatic vessel diameter and detection rates were also recorded. In the ≥65 group, the lymphedema was bilateral in 54 patients and unilateral in 1 patient. There was statistically significant deterioration in the LEL index score with progression from the linear, LE, dDB through to the eDB pattern in the ≥65 group. The lymphatic vessel diameter was significantly greater in the ≥65 group. The rate of improvement was highest in the ≥65 group. Age-related lymphedema was bilateral and deterioration started distally. The lymphatic vessels in patients with age-related lymphedema tended to be ectatic, which is advantageous for LVA and may increase the improvement rate.
| S-EPMC8584733 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC10556310 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background Lymphedema is an accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial spaces resulting from impairment in the lymphatic circulation that can impair quality of life and cause considerable morbidity. Lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) has an overall incidence rate of 20%. Conservative therapies are the first step in treatment of LEL; however, they do not provide a cure because they fail to address the underlying physiologic dysfunction of the lymphatic system. Among several surgical alternatives, lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) has gained popularity due to its improved outcomes and less invasive approach. This study aims to review the published literature on LVA for LEL treatment and to analyze the surgical outcomes. Methods PubMed database was used to perform a comprehensive literature review of all articles describing LVA for treatment of LEL from Novemeber 1985 to June 2019. Search terms included "lymphovenous" OR "lymphaticovenous" AND "bypass" OR "anastomosis" OR "shunt" AND "lower extremity lymphedema." Results A total of 95 articles were identified in the initial query, out of which 58 individual articles were deemed eligible. The studies included in this review describe notable variations in surgical techniques, number of anastomoses, and supplementary interventions. All, except one study, reported positive outcomes based on limb circumference and volume changes or subjective clinical improvement. The largest reduction rate in limb circumference and volume was 63.8%. Conclusion LVA demonstrated a considerable reduction in limb volume and improvement in subjective findings of lymphedema in the majority of patients. The maintained effectiveness of this treatment modality in long-term follow-up suggests great efficacy of LVA in LEL treatment.
| S-EPMC7192660 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeBreast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is caused by an interruption of the lymphatic system after breast cancer treatment. Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA), by which one or more patent lymphatic collecting vessels are connected to subcutaneous veins, shows promising results. Postoperatively, the patency of these anastomosis can be evaluated; however, little is known concerning the long-term patency after LVA in patients with BCRL. The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term patency, quality of life (QoL) and arm circumference after LVA, and to explore differences between patent and non-patent anastomosis and its correlation with clinical improvement.MethodsTwenty-five patients underwent indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography, lymph ICF-questionnaire, and arm circumference measurement preoperatively and 12 months after the LVA procedure.ResultsSeventy-six percent of the patients showed at least one patent anastomosis after 12 months. Quality of life according to the Lymph-ICF increased significantly (p < 0.000); however, arm circumference showed no significant decrease. Sixty-five percent discontinued wearing compression stockings. The patent anastomosis group, compared with the non-patent anastomosis group showed, without significance, more improvement in QoL, arm circumference, and discontinuation of compression stockings, as well as a lower rate of infections both pre- and postoperatively, a shorter duration of lymphedema preoperatively, and a higher rate of early lymphedema and ICG stage.ConclusionsLVA showed an acceptable patency and positive correlation between a patent anastomosis and clinical improvement after 12 months. Further research with a larger study population is required to determine whether outcomes or patient characteristics significantly correlate with a patent anastomosis after LVA operation.
| S-EPMC6985198 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC10718338 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Excess lymphedematous tissue causes excessive oxidative stress in lymphedema. Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) supermicrosurgery is currently emerging as the first-line surgical intervention for lymphedema. No data are available regarding the changes in serum proteins correlating to oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity before and after LVA. A total of 26 patients with unilateral lower limb lymphedema confirmed by lymphoscintigraphy were recruited, and venous serum samples were collected before (pre-LVA) and after LVA (post-LVA). In 16 patients, the serum proteins were identified by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation-based quantitative proteomic analysis with subsequent validation of protein expression by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An Oxidative Stress Panel Kit was used on an additional 10 patients. Magnetic resonance (MR) volumetry was used to measure t limb volume six months after LVA. This study identified that catalase (CAT) was significantly downregulated after LVA (pre-LVA vs. post-LVA, 2651 ± 2101 vs. 1448 ± 593 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.033). There were significantly higher levels of post-LVA serum total antioxidant capacity (pre-LVA vs. post-LVA, 441 ± 81 vs. 488 ± 59 µmole/L, respectively, p = 0.031) and glutathione peroxidase (pre-LVA vs. post-LVA, 73 ± 20 vs. 92 ± 29 U/g, respectively, p = 0.018) than pre-LVA serum. In addition, after LVA, there were significantly more differences between post-LVA and pre-LVA serum levels of CAT (good outcome vs. fair outcome, -2593 ± 2363 vs. 178 ± 603 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.021) and peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2) (good outcome vs. fair outcome, -7782 ± 7347 vs. -397 ± 1235 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.037) in those patients with good outcomes (≥40% volume reduction in MR volumetry) than those with fair outcomes (<40% volume reduction in MR volumetry). The study revealed that following LVA, differences in some specific oxidative stress markers and antioxidant capacity can be found in the serum of patients with lymphedema.
| S-EPMC8038828 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAlthough satisfactory volume reduction in secondary unilateral lower limb lymphedema after lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in the affected limb has been well reported, alleviation of muscle edema and the impact of LVA on the contralateral limb have not been investigated.Study designThis retrospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent supermicrosurgical LVA between November 2015 and January 2017. Pre- and post-LVA muscle edema were assessed using fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The primary endpoint was changes in limb/subfascial volume assessed with magnetic resonance volumetry at least 6 months after LVA.ResultsTwenty-one patients were enrolled in this study. Significant percentage reductions in post-LVA muscle edema were found in the affected thigh (83.6% [interquartile range = range of Q1 to Q3; 29.8-137.1] [FA], 53.3% [27.0-78.4] [ADC]) as well as limb (21.7% [4.4-26.5]) and subfascial (18.7% [10.7-39.1]) volumes. Similar findings were noted in the affected lower leg: 71.8% [44.0-100.1] (FA), 59.1% [45.8-91.2] (ADC), 21.2% [6.8-38.2], and 28.2% [8.5-44.8], respectively (all p < 0.001). Significant alleviation of muscle edema was also evident in the contralateral limbs (thigh: 25.1% [20.4-57.5] [FA]; 10.7% [6.6-17.7] [ADC]; lower leg: 47.1% [35.0-62.8] [FA]; 14.6% [6.5-22.1] [ADC]; both p < 0.001), despite no statistically significant difference in limb and subfascial volumes.ConclusionsOur study found significant reductions in muscle edema and limb/subfascial volumes in the affected limb after LVA. Our findings regarding edema in the contralateral limb were consistent with possible lymphedema-associated systemic influence on the unaffected limb, which could be surgically relieved.
| S-EPMC9278703 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA), which involves connecting lymphatic vessels to veins under a microscope, is widely performed around the world as a surgical treatment for lymphedema due to its relatively low patient burden and consistent efficacy. One of the crucial points of LVA is identifying suitable lymphatic vessels from among many lymphatic vessels and connecting them at the most effective site, but in practice, this is not easy to do. To overcome this issue, we have been able to effectively drain lymph by connecting lymphatic vessels to veins just before the occluded site using a lymphatic wire that was just recently developed in Japan. The device guides the subcutaneous deep collecting lymphatic vessels from the peripheral relatively superficial lymphatic vessels. While this special wire is typically adapted in the lower limbs, we have confirmed its effectiveness in upper limb lymphedema as well. Overall, this approach shows promise for improving the accuracy and success rates of LVA procedures, which can have significant benefits for patients with upper limb lymphedema. In this article, we share our experience using lymphatic wire for upper limb lymphedema cases.
| S-EPMC10721119 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveLymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is increasingly utilized in the treatment of lymphedema. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of the "Overlapping" LVA technique, which addresses the size mismatch between lymphatic and venous vessels in lymphedema treatment.MethodsBetween August 2022 and April 2023, seventeen patients diagnosed with lymphedema were enrolled in this study. The severity of lymphedema in these patients was classified according to the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) staging system.All patient underwent LVA procedures, anastomosis techniques including the Overlapping, end-to-end and octopus anastomosis. The techniques of anastomosis, anastomosis time, patency rate, and volume of limb lymphedema were evaluated.ResultsOur study enrolled 17 lymphedema patients who underwent the LVA procedure. All patients showed significant postoperative improvement in limb edema. The mean drainage volume was 472.29 ml. The Overlapping technique demonstrated a 100% success rate as assessed by clinical observation and intraoperative Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography. The average anastomosis time was 5.3 min, reducing operative time compared to traditional methods.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the Overlapping technique could serve as a valuable addition to the current LVA technique. This Overlapping anastomosis technique provides a wide range of applications for lymphatic anastomosis treatment and prevention of lymphedema.
| S-EPMC11443631 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundLymphaticovenous anastomosis is an important surgical treatment for lymphedema, with lymphaticovenous side-to-end anastomosis (LVSEA) and lymphaticovenous end-to-end anastomosis being the most frequently performed procedures. However, LVSEA can cause lymphatic flow obstruction because of regurgitation and tension in the anastomosis. In this study, we introduce a novel and simple procedure to overcome this problem.MethodsThirty-five female patients with lower extremity lymphedema who underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis at our hospital were included in this study. Eighty-five LVSEA procedures were performed, of which 12 resulted in insufficient venous blood flow. For these 12 anastomoses, the proximal lymphatic vessel underwent clipping after the anastomotic procedure and the venous inflow was monitored. Subsequently, the proximal ligation after side-to-end anastomosis recovery (PLASTER) technique, which involves ligating the proximal side of the lymphatic vessel, was applied. A postoperative evaluation was performed using indocyanine green 6 months after surgery.ResultsDespite the clipping procedure, three of the 12 anastomoses still showed poor venous inflow. Therefore, it was not possible to apply the PLASTER technique in those cases. Among the nine remaining anastomoses in which the PLASTER technique was applied, three (33%) were patent.ConclusionsOur findings show that achieving patent anastomosis is challenging when postoperative venous inflow is poor. We achieved good results by performing proximal ligation after LVSEA. Thus, the PLASTER technique is a particularly useful recovery technique when LVSEA does not result in good run-off.
| S-EPMC6657183 | biostudies-literature