Commentary: Gastroepiploic vascularized lymph node transfer for extremities’ lymphedema: Is two better than one? A retrospective case-control study

Abstract

The use of the omentum or gastroepiploic lymph nodes for the treatment of lymphedema has been well-established and has grown in popularity in recent years given its reliable anatomy, large number of nodes, and no risk of donor site lymphedema.1-3 Aside from these attributes, the gastroepiploic omental donor site offers the unique opportunity for the creation of multiple vascularized lymph node flaps that can be utilized for multi-level transfer or multi-limb disease.4 The present study, designed and executed by two world-renowned experts in the field of lymphedema surgery, hypothesized using the gastroepiploic omental flap as two separate flaps was more effective than a single distally placed in the treatment of upper or lower extremity lymphedema.