Boccardo F, Casabona F, De Cian F, Friedman D, Murelli F, Puglisi M, Campisi CC, Molinari L, Spinaci S, Dessalvi S, Campisi C, et al.
Microsurgery. Date of publication 2014 Sep 1;volume 34(6):421-4.
1. Microsurgery. 2014 Sep;34(6):421-4. doi: 10.1002/micr.22254. Epub 2014 Mar 26.
Lymphatic microsurgical preventing healing approach (LYMPHA) for primary surgical
prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema: over 4 years follow-up.
Boccardo F(1), Casabona F, De Cian F, Friedman D, Murelli F, Puglisi M, Campisi
CC, Molinari L, Spinaci S, Dessalvi S, Campisi C.
Author information:
(1)Department of Surgery-Unit of Lymphatic Surgery, IRCCS S. Martino University
Hospital-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, University of Genoa, Largo
R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Erratum in
Microsurgery. 2015 Jan;35(1):83. DeCian, Franco [corrected to De Cian, Franco].
Breast cancer-related lymphedema (LE) represents an important morbidity that
jeopardizes breast cancer patients' quality of life. Different attempts to
prevent LE brought about improvements in the incidence of the pathology but LE
still represents a frequent occurrence in breast cancer survivors. Over 4 years
ago, Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (LYMPHA) was proposed
and long-term results are reported in this study. From July 2008 to December
2012, 74 patients underwent axillary nodal dissection for breast cancer treatment
together with LYMPHA procedure. Volumetry was performed preoperatively in all
patients and after 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and once a year. Lymphoscintigraphy was
performed in 45 patients preoperatively and in 30 also postoperatively after at
least over 1 year. Seventy one patients had no sign of LE, and volumetry was
coincident to preoperative condition. In three patients, LE occurred after 8-12
months postoperatively. Lymphoscintigraphy showed the patency of lymphatic-venous
anastomoses at 1-4 years after operation. LYMPHA technique represents a
successful surgical procedure for primary prevention of arm LE in breast cancer
patients.
© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DOI: 10.1002/micr.22254
PMID: 24677148 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
