Page 58 - Read Online

Park et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2023;10:40 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2022.98
Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Combination of lymphovenous anastomosis and
lymph node transfer for breast cancer-related

lymphedema

Joseph Kyu-hyung Park , Yujin Myung
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University
College of Medicine, Gyeonggi-do 13620, Republic of Korea.

Correspondence to: Prof. Yujin Myung, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang
Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13620, Republic of
Korea. E-mail: surgene@snu.ac.kr
How to cite this article: Park Jh, Myung Y. Combination of lymphovenous anastomosis and lymph node transfer for breast
cancer-related lymphedema. Plast Aesthet Res 2023;10:40. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2022.98
Received: 30 Aug 2022 First Decision: 13 Jul 2023 Revised: 18 Jul 2023 Accepted: 31 Jul 2023 Published: 11 Aug 2023

Academic Editor: Hiroo Suami Copy Editor: Yanbing Bai Production Editor: Yanbing Bai

Abstract
With the remarkable advancement of microsurgery, surgical treatment for lymphedema has been increasing, and
its good results are well established. However, surgical treatment for advanced-stage lymphedema is still a
challenging task. We reviewed several methods of combining lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized
lymph node transfer (VLNT) in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) patients. Representative VLNT flap
options for BCRL patients include the omental flap, superficial circumflex iliac perforator (SCIP) flap, and deep
inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) flap combined with inguinal lymph nodes performed simultaneously with breast
reconstruction. The surgical outcome, technical details, and donor site morbidities of each surgical option were
reviewed. While all three options show significant surgical benefits, each has its clear advantages and
disadvantages. The decision on the surgical method may vary according to the needs of each patient and the
clinical situation.

Keywords: Breast cancer, lymphedema, advanced stage BCRL, omental flap, DIEP flap, SCIP flap, lymphovenous
anastomosis, vascularized lymph node transfer

© 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
long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and
indicate if changes were made.

www.parjournal.net