Multisite Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis Using Vein Graft for Uterine Cancer-Related Lymphedema After Pelvic Lymphadenectomy

Abstract

Background: Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is becoming a treatment option for lymphedema. It is challenging to perform LVA when a lymphatic vessel is too far from a vein to anastomose directly. Methods: We applied vein grafting for simultaneous multisite LVA (SM-LVA), when there was a considerable distance between a lymphatic vessel and a vein. Five patients with lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) who underwent SM-LVA were included in this study. Feasibility and treatment effect of the method were evaluated. Results: Simultaneous multisite LVA resulted in 35 anastomoses. Vein grafting was performed in 5 of 35 anastomoses with 100% technical success. All LVAs showed good intraoperative anastomosis patency. At 6 months postoperatively, LEL index was significantly lower than preoperative LEL index (251.0 ± 33.0 vs 271.0 ± 38.5, P < .001). Conclusion: In SM-LVA surgery, a vein can be harvested from another surgical field without additional invasiveness and is useful for bridging a lymphatic vessel and a distant vein.