title: Microsurgical Lymphatic Vessel Transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphedema often arises after a regional interruption during cancer treatment, for example after lymph node resection the axilla or the groin. Lymphatic vessels as vascular grafts may overcome these lymphatic gaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experiments in rats and dogs were performed for developing this method. Volume measurements, lymphoscintigraphies, proof of patency by MRI and radiology as well as quality of life studies were performed in patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Long-term follow-up studies revealed significantly reduced volumes, significant improvement of lymphatic outflow shown by lymphoscintigraphy, long-term patency of the grafts for more than 10 years, and improved quality of life after surgery compared with the situation with conservative treatment before surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vascular grafts using the patients own lymphatic vessels are able to successfully reconstruct a locally interrupted lymphatic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Lymphology, Chirurgische Klinik Muenchen Bogenhausen, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Ruediger G H
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Baumeister
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Weiss
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.affiliation: Institute for Cinical Radiology, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Notohamiprodjo
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, Plastic- and Aesthetic Surgery, AUHP Klinik, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Muenchen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wallmichrath
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, Plastic- and Aesthetic Surgery, AUHP Klinik, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Muenchen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, Plastic- and Aesthetic Surgery, AUHP Klinik, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Muenchen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frick
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000637:transplantation*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000601:surgery*; D061305:Lymphoscintigraphy; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D051381:Rats; D020127:Recovery of Function