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Beederman et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2022;9:54 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2022.64
Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Supraclavicular lymph node transplant: a focus on
technique

Maureen Beederman, David W. Chang

Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637,
USA.
Correspondence to: Dr. David W. Chang, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University
of Chicago Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue J641, MC6035, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. E-mail:
dchang@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu

How to cite this article: Beederman M, Chang DW. Supraclavicular lymph node transplant: a focus on technique. Plast Aesthet
Res 2022;9:54. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2022.64

Received: 20 Jun 2022 First Decision: 10 Aug 2022 Revised: 26 Aug 2022 Accepted: 14 Sep 2020 Published: 26 Sep 2022

Academic Editor: Melissa B. Aldrich Copy Editor: Peng-Juan Wen Production Editor: Peng-Juan Wen

Abstract
Physiologic surgical options, including vascularized lymph node transplant and lymphovenous bypass are becoming
increasingly popular interventions for the treatment of lymphedema of both the upper and lower extremities. Many
different lymph node donor sites have been described, including submental, lateral thoracic, superficial groin,
supraclavicular, and various intraabdominal sites. This paper describes a step-by-step approach to the harvest of
vascularized lymph nodes from the supraclavicular area, which is the preferred donor site for most patients with
both upper and lower extremity lymphedema.

Keywords: Lymphedema, surgery, lymph node transplant, microsurgery

INTRODUCTION
Lymphedema, characterized by the progressive buildup of protein-rich extracellular interstitial fluid due to
insufficient lymphatic drainage, is a chronic condition that can affect both the upper and lower extremities.
This can lead to limb swelling, inflammation, and ultimately fibrosis, causing significant morbidity with
associated pain, discomfort, limb heaviness, cellulitis, and decreased quality of life. Lymphedema can be
classified as either primary or secondary, depending on whether an intrinsic problem with the lymphatic

© The Author(s) 2022. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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