Flap transplantation combined with liposuction to treat upper limb lymphedema after mastectomy / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate a new surgical method to treat unilateral limb lymphedem after radical mastectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>10 cases of upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy were treated using flap transfer (the lateral thoracic skin flap or latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap combined with liposuction).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the treatment, the upper limb perimeter reduced in varied degrees. Nuclear lymphatic radiography showed notable changes in lymphatic circulation. The effective results were steady during the follow-up of 3-18 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Flap transplantation combined with liposuction is a useful treatment for limb lymphedema from radical mastectomy.</p>