Abstract
Immediate limb compression following the LVA procedure facilitates lymphatic drainage and increases the surgical efficacy by increasing the number of functioning anastomoses, and is a recommended postoperative practice.
Highlights
Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is a minimally invasive, supermicrosurgical alternative to vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) for lymphedema reconstruction [1,2,3]
All patients had statistically significant edema reduction based on lower extremity lymphedema indices (P = 0.0009) and relief of symptoms based on the lymphedema quality of life (LYMQOL) assessment (P = 0.0006)
Four female and one male, with age ranging from 23 years to 69 years; undergoing LVA for limb lymphedema, were included in the study (Table 1)
Summary
Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is a minimally invasive, supermicrosurgical alternative to vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) for lymphedema reconstruction [1,2,3]. Limb compression following the LVA procedure may mechanically narrow these minuscule anastomoses, causing anastomotic failure. We conducted a simulation study to answer this question – does limb compression following LVA promote or impair lymph-to-vein drainage?. One of the controversies on postoperative care is whether to apply limb compression. Methods: Following each of the anastomoses of the LVA procedure, the flow across the anastomosis was immediately assessed. Conclusion: Postoperative compression following LVA does not harm the anastomoses created, and can augment the lymphatic flow and convert unfavorable retrograde flow to favorable ante grade flow
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