Does Lymphovenous Anastomosis Effect Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitor-associated Lymphedema Patients?

Abstract

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are used to prevent organ transplant rejection and are preferred over other immunosuppressants due to its low nephrotoxicity. However, mTOR inhibitors have been associated with various adverse effects including lymphedema. Although rare in incidence, previously known treatments for mTOR inhibitor-induced lymphedema were limited to discontinuation of related drugs and complex disruptive therapy with variable results. In this article, three patients who developed lymphedema in their lower limbs after using mTOR inhibitors, including two bilateral and one unilateral case, were treated with physiologic surgery methods such as lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and lymph node transfer. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated. In the three cases described, cessation of the drug did not lead to any reduction in edema. The use of LVA and lymph node transfer resulted in early reductions in volume but failed to sustain over time. All patients underwent secondary nonphysiologic surgery such as liposuction resulting in sustained improvement. This series presents the first physiologic approach to mTOR inhibitor-induced lymphedema. Although further study is warranted, the physiologic surgical options may have limited success and nonphysiologic options may offer better sustainable results.