title: Long-Term Patency of Lymphovenous Anastomoses: A Systematic Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With advancements in technology and microsurgical techniques, lymphovenous anastomosis has become a popular reconstructive procedure in the treatment of chronic lymphedema. However, the long-term patency of these anastomoses is not clear in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed to assess the reported long-term patency of lymphovenous anastomoses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of eight studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Pooled data from four similar experiments in normal dogs showed an average long-term (≥5 months) patency of 52 percent. The only experiment in dogs with chronic lymphedema failed to show any long-term patency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The creation of peripheral lymphovenous anastomoses with a moderate long-term patency rate has become technically possible. However, the long-term results in chronic lymphedema are limited.
authors.affiliation: Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|From the Taylor Lab, Department of Anatomy of Neuroscience, University of Melbourne.
authors.forename: Saam S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Tourani
authors.affiliation: Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|From the Taylor Lab, Department of Anatomy of Neuroscience, University of Melbourne.
authors.forename: G Ian
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|From the Taylor Lab, Department of Anatomy of Neuroscience, University of Melbourne.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ashton
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000601:surgery*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures