Liposuction combined with lymphatico-venous anastomosis for treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema of the upper limb / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To study the clinical effect of liposuction combined with lymphatico-venous anastomosis for treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema(BCRL).Methods:From Nov 2015 to Nov 2017, 111 patients with BCRL admitted to the Department of Lymphatic Surgery at Beijing Shijitan Hospital were enrolled. The rank-sum test was used for statistical analysis. The frequencies of erysipelas episodes before and after combined surgeries were compared.Results:The mean upper limb circumference significantly decreased at 7 days[0.2 cm (-0.8, 1.1)], at follow-up[0.2 cm(-0.4, 1.0)]compared with that of preoperation[5.0 cm(4.1, 6.9)]( P<0.05). The mean upper limb volume significantly decreased at day 7[26 ml(-120, 155)], at follow-up[37 ml(-66, 165)]compared with preoperation[786 ml(632, 1 200)]( P<0.05). The incidence of erysipelas of the affected limbs significantly decreased after treatment. Furthermore, the softness and the feeling of heaviness of the affected limbs significantly improved after the combined procedures(all P<0.05). Conclusion:Liposuction combined with lymphatico-venous anastomosis is an effective method for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema.