Prophylactic Lymphovenous Bypass at the Time of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Decreases Rates of Lymphedema.
Citation: Annals of Surgery Open : Perspectives of Surgical History, Education, and Clinical Approaches. 4(2):e278, 2023 Jun.PMID: 37601478Institution: MedStar National Rehabilitation Network | MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: MedStar General Surgery Residency | MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center | Surgery | Surgery/Plastic SurgeryForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: Year: 2023ISSN:- 2691-3593
Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Journal Article | MedStar Authors Catalog | Article | 37601478 | Available | 37601478 |
Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema impacts 30% to 47% of women who undergo axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Studies evaluating the effectiveness of prophylactic lymphovenous bypass (LVB) at the time of ALND have had small patient populations and/or short follow-up. The aim of this study is to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate prophylactic LVB in patients with breast cancer.
Conclusions: Prophylactic LVB decreases lymphedema and is not associated with increased postoperative complications. A multidisciplinary team approach is imperative to decrease lymphedema development in this patient population. Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent ALND from 2018 to 2022 was performed. Patients were divided into cohorts based on whether they underwent prophylactic LVB at the time of ALND. Primary outcomes included 30-day complications and lymphedema. Lymphedema was quantitatively evaluated by bioimpedance analysis, with L-dex scores >7.1 indicating lymphedema.
Results: One-hundred five patients were identified. Sixty-four patients (61.0%) underwent ALND and 41 patients (39.0%) underwent ALND+LVB. Postoperative complications were similar between the cohorts. At a median follow-up of 13.3 months, lymphedema occurred significantly higher in the ALND only group compared with ALND+LVB group (50.0% vs 12.2%; P < 0.001). ALND without LVB was an independent risk factor for lymphedema development (odds ratio, 4.82; P = 0.003).
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