title: Outcomes of vascularized versus non-vascularized lymph node transplant in animal models for lymphedema. Review of the literature.
abstract: Lymph node transfer has been performed to treat lymphedema for several years. The goal of this procedure is to provide a bridge between the lymphatic system distal and proximal to the lymph node dissection. There is a lack of consensus about the necessity of an additional vascular anastomosis for the transplanted lymph nodes. A systematic literature search in Cochrane Library database CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE of animal studies using lymph node transplantation with and without additional vascularization was performed in March 2016. The strategy used for the search was: (("Models, Animal"[Mesh]) AND (("Lymphedema"[Mesh]) OR "Lymph Nodes"[Mesh]) OR "Lymph Node Excision"[Mesh])) AND ((vascularized lymph node transfer) OR ((non-vascularized lymph node transfer) OR lymph node graft)). The primary outcomes were: survival of transplanted lymph node and lymphatic vessel regeneration. Sixteen studies were included. Vascularization and the use of growth factors were significantly associated with lymph node survival. Lymphatic vessels regeneration was independent from vascularization. According to the results of the current study, additional vascular anastomosis might improve the transplanted lymph node survival. Further studies in both experimental and clinical setting are needed in order to support it. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:32-36. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anouk J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cornelissen
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Shan Shan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tiara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lopez Penha
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Keuter
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piatkowski de Grzymala
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tuinder
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van der Hulst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000502:physiology; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: lymph node survival; lymph node transfer; lymphedema; systematic review