Short-term outcome of vascularized supraclavicular lymph nodes flap transplantation to treat the lower extremity lymphedema / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the short-term outcome of vascularized supraclavicular lymph nodes flap transplantation to treat the lower extremity lymphedema.Methods From June,2014 to June,2016,6 cases of stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ lower extremity lymphedema received vascularized supraclavicular lymph nodes flap transplantation in this study.Flap size ranged from 2.5 cm×8.0 cm to 3.5 cm×10.0 cm.The anterior tibial artery and accompanying vein were detached for anastomosis.Results One case suffered flap necrosis and then received lymphatic-venous anastomosis instead;2 cases suffered vascular crisis and partial flap necrosis,but transplanted lymph node survived and the wound were closed with skin graft.The other 3 flaps survived without any complication.Follow-up time ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 years.The affected limb circumference and the incidence of lymphangitis decreased significandy,with no complications observed in donor site.Conclusion Using vascularized supraclavicular lymph nodes flap transplantation to treat lower limb lymphedema,it has satisfactory short-term outcome and no obvious complications.It is a promising treatment choice for patients with lower extremity lymphedema in the early and mid stage.