Abstract
I read the article entitled “Bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema before and after lymphaticovenular anastomosis,” reported by Roh et al1Roh S. Koshima I. Mese T. Hirofumi I. Aoki G. Kawano R. et al.Bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema before and after lymphaticovenular anastomosis.J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2023; 11: 404-410Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar with great interest. This cross-sectional, single-center retrospective study evaluating the effect of lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) found strong correlations between the BIA parameters and conventional circumferential volume measurement both before and after LVA in patients with upper limb lymphedema. The interlimb ratio of each BIA parameter was used as an indicator in evaluating the effect of arm LVA in this study, which is novel. Nonetheless, despite the authors' statement that this study was the first to investigate perioperative changes in patients with arm lymphedema undergoing LVA using BIA measurement, we have previously reported a positive effect of arm LVA using this method.2Yasunaga Y. Yanagisawa D. Nakajima Y. Mimura S. Kobayashi M. Yuzuriha S. et al.Water reductive effect of lymphaticovenular anastomosis on upper-limb lymphedema: bioelectrical impedance analysis and comparison with lower-limb lymphedema.J Reconstr Microsurg. 2020; 36: 660-666Crossref PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar The absolute values of the BIA parameters of the affected limb showed that the body water volume of the affected arm decreased by 267 mL after arm LVA, and the edema reduction rate was 46.0%. Furthermore, the use of BIA to evaluate the effect of leg LVA has been reported previously.3Yasunaga Y. Yanagisawa D. Ohata E. Matsuo K. Yuzuriha S. Bioelectrical impedance analysis of water reduction in lower-limb lymphedema by lymphaticovenular anastomosis.J Reconstr Microsurg. 2019; 35: 306-314Crossref PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar We have also reported that one of the BIA parameters, the extracellular fluid ratio, reflects the severity of leg lymphedema,4Yasunaga Y. Kondoh S. Nakajima Y. Mimura S. Kobayashi M. Yuzuriha S. et al.Extracellular water ratio as an indicator of the development and severity of leg lymphedema using bioelectrical impedance analysis.Lymphat Res Biol. 2021; 19: 223-230Crossref PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar and a similar article about arm lymphedema is awaiting publication.5Yasunaga Y. Kinjo S. Kondoh D. Yanagisawa S. Yuzuriha S. Kondoh S. Screening for breast cancer-related lymphedema development using extracellular water ratio [Online ahead of print].Lymphat Res Biol. 2023; (https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2022.0060. Accessed March 23, 2020)Crossref PubMed Google Scholar So, our previous studies strongly support the authors' conclusion that BIA can be a useful tool for assessing the severity of lymphedema and monitoring the outcomes of LVA. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that the BIA method has already been reported as a method to evaluate the effect of LVA. ReplyJournal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic DisordersVol. 11Issue 4PreviewWe would like to thank the respondent for their interest in our recent study regarding using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema treated by lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA).1 Full-Text PDF
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
