Abstract

LIAKOS, D; SOFIANOS, C; SOOKA, HN  and  SHEIKH, RU. Vascularised free lymph node transfer - a procedure for secondary lymphoedema management in South Africa. S. Afr. j. surg. [online]. 2019, vol.57, n.1, pp.60-63. ISSN 2078-5151.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2078-5151/2019/v57n1a2785.

Lymphoedema is a condition in which impaired function of lymphatics results in poor lymphatic drainage and an accumulation of proteinaceous fluid in the interstitium. Lymphoedema has a broad clinical spectrum, and treatment options must be tailored to individual patients. Microsurgery is becoming popular as a surgical tool to manage refractory lymphoedema, and techniques include lymphaticovenous anastomosis(LVA) and vascularised lymph node transfer (VLNT). VLNT for treatment of lymphoedema has had promising outcomes thus far. We present a case report detailing the use of VLNT for treating post-surgical lymphoedema in the upper extremity.

Keywords : Lymphoedema; upper extremity; postsurgical; lymph node transfer; microsurgery.

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