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Giacalone et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2023;10:22 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2022.115
Aesthetic Research

Perspective Open Access

Recent progress in lymphovenous anastomosis

Guido Giacalone, Florence Belva
Department of Lymphatic Surgery, AZ Sint-Maarten, Mechelen 2800, Belgium.
Correspondence to: Dr. Guido Giacalone, Department of Lymphatic Surgery, AZ Sint-Maarten, Liersesteenweg 435, Mechelen
2800, Belgium. E-mail: guido.giacalone@emmaus.be

How to cite this article: Giacalone G, Belva F. Recent progress in lymphovenous anastomosis. Plast Aesthet Res 2023;10:22.
https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2022.115

Received: 9 Oct 2022 First Decision: 7 Mar 2023 Revised: 28 Mar 2023 Accepted: 10 May 2023 Published: 19 May 2023

Academic Editors: Xiao Long, Hiroo Suami Copy Editor: Yanbing Bai Production Editor: Yanbing Bai

Abstract
Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a debilitating disorder affecting an estimated 1 in 5 women and men
treated for breast cancer. Fortunately, super microsurgical techniques have advanced in recent years and now
provide better options for the treatment of lymphedema, allowing timely surgical intervention that can delay or
even prevent lymphatic degeneration. Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), a physiologic procedure that restores
lymphatic drainage by connecting functioning lymphatic vessels with nearby veins, has been shown to be both
minimally invasive and highly effective. The authors describe innovative approaches to LVA that will help optimize
outcomes for patients with BCRL.

Keywords: Lymphovenous anastomosis, lymphedema, super microsurgery

INTRODUCTION
Breast cancer-related lymphedema(BCRL) is a frequent complication of axillary lymph node excision with
adjuvant therapy, and affects both women and men diagnosed with breast cancer . As secondary
[1,2]
lymphedema is a progressive disorder that results in irreversible damage to the lymphatic vessels and
surrounding tissue , patients should be encouraged to seek surgical advice in an early phase, particularly
[3]
[4]
when refractory to initiated compression therapy . While surgical treatment for lymphedema previously
focused on ablative procedures, current surgical techniques for the treatment of lymphedema aim to restore
the drainage of lymphatic fluid from the affected limb. Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) consists of an
anastomosis between a lymphatic vessel and a subcutaneous vein, and because it allows the lymphatic fluid

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing,
adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
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