title: The use of vein grafts in the treatment of peripheral lymphedemas: long-term results.
abstract: This study evaluates long-term results of the treatment of peripheral lymphedemas by the microsurgical reconstructive technique of interposed vein grafts. The technique consists of the use of autologous vein grafts to reconstruct lymphatic pathways where there is a block to the lymphatic circulation of the limb, whether of congenital or acquired etiology. The venous segment represents a sort of "bridge" between afferent and efferent lymphatic collectors (lymphatic-venous-lymphatic plasty [LVLA]). The results also proved to have positive long-term effects after microsurgical operation. Follow-up evaluation was performed clinically by water volumetry and instrumentally by lymphangioscintigraphy. With this LVLA technique, peripheral lymphedemas can be treated when derivative lymphovenous shunts cannot be used because of impaired venous circulation in the same lymphedematous limb. The new aspect of the study is that we report long-term clinical and instrumental results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Specialistic Surgical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Organ Transplants (DISCAT), Emergency Surgical Clinic Section, Lymphology and Microsurgery Center, S. Martino Hospital, University of Genoa, 16122 Genoa, Italy. campisi@unige.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campisi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boccardo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zilli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macció
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Napoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000601:surgery*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation*