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Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (LYMPHA) for Prevention of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema—a Preliminary Report

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Abstract

Lymphatic microsurgical preventing healing approach (LYMPHA) for prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL)—a preliminary report BCRL—is a chronic debilitating condition which impairs quality of life of breast cancer survivors. The aim is to study the feasibility of preventing lymphedema by performing “Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventive Healing Approach (LYMPHA).” Patients undergoing breast cancer surgery with complete nodal dissection were taken up for the study. After the standard axillary nodal dissection, lymphatics were identified by the help of blue dye and were anastomosed with a tributary to the axillary vein. Post-operatively, patients were followed up clinically for development of lymphedema and lymphoscintigraphy was performed after treatment completion. A total of 35 patients were enrolled for the study. The average BMI was 29.5. LYMPHA was feasible in all cases. The number of lymphatics identified was 1 to 5 per axilla. Two patients developed transient lymphedema which resolved with conservative therapy and patients were able to discontinue the compression garment. Follow-up lymphoscintigraphy is performed in two patients, which showed normal lymphatic flow. LYMPHA is a feasible technique, not difficult to perform, takes a short time, is accomplished in same general anesthesia as for axillary dissection, and gives no extra scar. The early results are promising and long-term follow-up may make the procedure as a routine.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Ms. Shalini Pandey for helping with data compilation for the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi, Delhi, 110005, India

    Juhi Agrawal, Sandeep Mehta, Ashish Goel, Pankaj Kumar Pande & Kapil Kumar

Authors
  1. Juhi Agrawal
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  2. Sandeep Mehta
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  3. Ashish Goel
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  4. Pankaj Kumar Pande
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  5. Kapil Kumar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juhi Agrawal.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

This study reports about feasibility of preventive microsurgical lymphovenous anastomosis in the axilla at the time of axillary dissection for breast cancer. The early results of this procedure are encouraging.

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Agrawal, J., Mehta, S., Goel, A. et al. Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (LYMPHA) for Prevention of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema—a Preliminary Report. Indian J Surg Oncol 9, 369–373 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13193-018-0731-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13193-018-0731-0

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