title: A comprehensive review of the natural lymphaticovenous communications and their role in lymphedema surgery.
abstract: Cancer-related lymphedema is a progressive, chronic condition that impairs quality of life. Its pathophysiology and the mechanisms of action of current reconstructive surgical treatments are not fully understood but lymphaticovenous communications may play a key role. We review the available literature on lymphaticovenous communications and their implications in lymphedema surgery, and propose a subclassification of lymphaticovenous communications. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:374-380. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miranda Garcés
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mirapeix
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadri
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Masià
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: cancer-related lymphedema; lymphaticovenous communications; lymphedema; lymphedema surgery; pathophysiology