Complication profile of combined microvascular breast reconstruction combined with vascularised lymph node transplant

Vascularised lymph node transplant (VLNT) is a microsurgical procedure for the treatment of lymphoedema that promotes drainage of interstitial fluid and lymphangiogenesis. Some surgeons have begun to perform VLNT concurrently with microsurgical breast reconstruction, but the safety of this approach remains unclear. We utilised the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to conduct a propensity-matched analysis of complications of combined microsurgical breast reconstruction and VLNT procedures. The addition of lymph node transplants to autologous breast reconstruction did not significantly alter the 30-day incidence of surgical site complications, reoperations or medical complications.