TY - JOUR
T1 - Lower extremity lymphedema and vascularized lymph node transfer recipient sites
T2 - a review of the current literature
AU - Tawaklna, Kenan
AU - Chi, David
AU - Bruce, Jordan G.
AU - Ha, Austin Y.
AU - Anolik, Rachel
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Vascularized lymph node transfer is a surgical treatment for lower extremity lymphedema aimed at restoring physiological lymphatic flow. Much variation exists in determining the appropriate donor site from which to harvest lymph nodes as well as the optimal recipient site to anastomose the new lymph nodes. This article reviews the underlying principles of free vascularized lymph node transfer and discusses patient-specific, disease-specific and surgery-specific factors in considering recipient sites from the proximal, middle, and distal lower extremity. The clinical outcomes of published studies in lymphatic surgery for lower extremity lymphedema are presented. An omental flap to the middle lower extremity (mid-thigh, popliteal fossa, or medial calf) is then recommended due to the abundance of lymphatic tissue, proximity to pooled lymph fluid, and avoidance of added bulk or poor cosmesis of the distal lower extremity. However, additional clinical outcomes studies are needed and represent an area of further investigation.
AB - Vascularized lymph node transfer is a surgical treatment for lower extremity lymphedema aimed at restoring physiological lymphatic flow. Much variation exists in determining the appropriate donor site from which to harvest lymph nodes as well as the optimal recipient site to anastomose the new lymph nodes. This article reviews the underlying principles of free vascularized lymph node transfer and discusses patient-specific, disease-specific and surgery-specific factors in considering recipient sites from the proximal, middle, and distal lower extremity. The clinical outcomes of published studies in lymphatic surgery for lower extremity lymphedema are presented. An omental flap to the middle lower extremity (mid-thigh, popliteal fossa, or medial calf) is then recommended due to the abundance of lymphatic tissue, proximity to pooled lymph fluid, and avoidance of added bulk or poor cosmesis of the distal lower extremity. However, additional clinical outcomes studies are needed and represent an area of further investigation.
KW - Lower extremity lymphedema
KW - lymph node donor
KW - lymph node flap
KW - lymph node recipient
KW - lymphangiogenesis
KW - lymphatic flap
KW - physiologic procedure
KW - vascularized lymph node transfer
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85178336519&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.20517/2347-9264.2023.40
DO - 10.20517/2347-9264.2023.40
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85178336519
SN - 2347-9264
VL - 2023
JO - Plastic and Aesthetic Research
JF - Plastic and Aesthetic Research
ER -