Biomaterials in the clinical treatment of lymphedema-a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphedema is a chronic condition caused by impaired lymphatic fluid drainage, resulting in progressive edema. The current mainstay of lymphedema therapy consists of conservative therapy and surgical therapy. In this systematic review, we investigated the novel role of biomaterials in clinical lymphedema therapy and assessed their objective outcomes and the complication rate associated with their use. METHODS: Studies were identified through systematic review using the Embase and PubMed/MEDLINE databases. Only original articles reporting the use of biomaterials for clinical lymphedema therapy were included. The primary outcome measure was the objective reduction in limb volume after biomaterial use. The secondary outcome measure was the assessment of biomaterial safety. RESULTS: A total of 354 articles were identified in the first search, of which 10 met our inclusion criteria. These articles described the use of two biomaterials, nanofibrillar collagen scaffolds (NCSs) and silicone tubes (STs), for the treatment of lymphedema. NCS implantation showed an average excess limb volume reduction of 1% to 10.7% and clear evidence of lymphangiogenesis on imaging. No complications were 7documented after NCS implantation. ST implantation showed an average limb volume reduction of 700 to 887 mL and limb circumference reduction of 3.1 to 8 cm in patients with advanced stage lymphedema. Of 177 patients treated with ST implantation, only 11 (6.2%) developed local inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Both NCS and ST implantation showed promising limb volume reduction; however, with the scarce literature available, additional research is needed to determine their effectiveness. Both demonstrated good safety profiles, with no complications after NCS implantation and a complication rate equivalent to other similar implants for ST implantation.

Broken Dermal Filler Cannula in Post-Radiated Décolleté.

We present a case of 72-year-old that arrived at our emergency department following breaking of a dermal cannula used to inject a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to the décolleté by an aesthetic practitioner. She had a history of previous radiation to the breast after a lumpectomy. The cannula was removed using fluoroscopy guidance. This case emphasizes several key messages. First is the extreme caution needed when using a cannula to inject dermal fillers in a previously radiated area. Second, the importance of properly trained practitioners. Last, one should consider the use of bio-stimulants in a previously cancerous area. Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Author 1 Given name: [Yoav Yechezkel] Last name [Pikkel], Author 1 Given name: [Assaf Aviram] Last name [Zeltzer] Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correct.confirmedPlease check and confirm the organization division and organization name is correctly identified for the affiliation 2.yesLevel of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Surgical treatment of breast cancer related lymphedema-the combined approach: a literature review.

Background and Objective: Breast cancer therapy is a common cause of lymphedema, a chronic condition resulting from impaired fluid drainage through the lymphatic system. The accumulation of fluid in the affected limb leads to swelling, inflammation, and fibrosis, causing irreversible changes. While conservative therapy is the initial treatment for lymphedema, it may prove ineffective for advanced-stage cases that require surgical intervention. Physiological approaches such as lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) aim to restore lymphatic circulation, while reductive approaches such as excision of excess tissue and liposuction (LS) aim to eliminate fibrofatty tissue. In advanced stages of breast cancer-related lymphedema, a treatment that incorporates both physiological and reductive methods is advantageous. The timing of these approaches varies, and recent simultaneous procedures have been introduced to address both aspects in one surgery. Additionally, lymphedema treatment can be combined with breast reconstruction. Current imaging techniques provide a better assessment of the lymphedematous limb, aiding in the tailoring of a personalized combined approach within a single surgery. This study aims to review the combined approach for breast cancer-related lymphedema treatment and propose a new therapeutic algorithm based on recent literature. The research aims to optimize the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema and improve patient outcomes. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE was used as the database to conduct a review of the currently available literature concerning combined surgical techniques for treating breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). Key Content and Findings: In our review, we discuss imaging methods for assessing lymphatic system anatomy and function in surgical preparation and decision-making. Simultaneously, we examine a range of combined surgical techniques for treating BCRL, encompassing the combined physiologic approach, breast reconstruction with physiologic surgery, and the combination of reductive and physiologic procedures. Our emphasis remains on key parameters, including patient demographics, lymphedema staging, procedure types, follow-up duration, and objective limb measurements. Conclusions: Surgical treatment of BCRL can include several surgical modalities that can be performed simultaneously. Current imaging techniques enable the tailoring of a personalized combined one-stage surgery for BCRL patients.