title: Free muscle flap transfer as a lymphatic bridge for upper extremity lymphedema.
abstract: There are limited reports in the literature describing the use of muscle or skin pedicle flaps as a lymphatic bridge to treat obstructive lymphedema. This report demonstrates the successful use of a free muscle flap for a circumferential scar of a forearm as treatment for obstructive lymphedema. Lymphatic drainage is demonstrated across the free flap by lymphoscintigraphy postoperatively. This is the first case report using a free muscle flap to reestablish lymphatic flow across an area of obstructive limb lymphedema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Saskatchewan and Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors.forename: Dale A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Classen
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Irvine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology