Abstract
An innovative wireless device for bioimpedance analysis was developed for post-dual-site free vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) evaluation. Seven patients received dual-site free VLNT for unilateral upper or lower limb lymphedema. A total of 10 healthy college students were enrolled in the healthy control group. The device was applied to the affected and unaffected limbs to assess segmental alterations in bioimpedance. The affected proximal limb showed a significant increase in bioimpedance at postoperative sixth month (3.3 [2.8, 3.6], p = 0.001) with 10 kHz currents for better penetration, although the difference was not significant (3.3 [3.3, 3.8]) at 1 kHz. The bioimpedance of the affected distal limb significantly increased after dual-site free VLNT surgery, whether passing with the 1 kHz (1.6 [0.7, 3.4], p = 0.030, postoperative first month; 2.8 [1.0, 4.2], p = 0.027, postoperative third month; and 1.3 [1.3, 3.4], p = 0.009, postoperative sixth month) or 10 kHz current ((1.4 [0.5, 2.7], p = 0.049, postoperative first month; 3.2 [0.9, 6.3], p = 0.003, postoperative third month; and 3.6 [2.5, 4.1], p < 0.001, postoperative sixth month). Bioimpedance alterations on the affected distal limb were significantly correlated with follow-up time (rho = 0.456, p = 0.029 detected at 10 kHz). This bioimpedance wireless device could quantitatively monitor the interstitial fluid alterations, which is suitable for postoperative real-time surveillance.
Highlights
Lymphedema is caused by interstitial fluid accumulation due to obstruction of the lymphatic drainage system, resulting in swelling of the affected part
Various surgeries have been indicated for refractory lymphedema, including lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA), vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), suctionassisted lipectomy, radical reduction with preservation of perforators, and Charles’ procedure [1,2,3,4]
We aimed to develop a novel bioimpedance device that could segmentally
Summary
Lymphedema is caused by interstitial fluid accumulation due to obstruction of the lymphatic drainage system, resulting in swelling of the affected part. Various surgeries have been indicated for refractory lymphedema, including lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA), vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), suctionassisted lipectomy, radical reduction with preservation of perforators, and Charles’ procedure [1,2,3,4]. Free VLNT is adopted when the above methods disclose ineffective outcomes. It is a novel approach, with the functional lymph nodes carried to an obstructed site, where the growth factors induce lymph angiogenesis and possible immunomodulation [1,3,4,5], a change in fluid composition. We have had the clinical experience of using dual-site free VLNT and combined surgery with
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: 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.
