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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

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Open Access 01-01-2020 | Breast Cancer | Clinical trial

Correlation between patency and clinical improvement after lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in breast cancer-related lymphedema: 12-month follow-up

Authors: Joost A. G. N. Wolfs, Luuke G. E. H. de Joode, René R. W. J. van der Hulst, Shan S. Qiu

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is caused by an interruption of the lymphatic system after breast cancer treatment. Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA), by which one or more patent lymphatic collecting vessels are connected to subcutaneous veins, shows promising results. Postoperatively, the patency of these anastomosis can be evaluated; however, little is known concerning the long-term patency after LVA in patients with BCRL. The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term patency, quality of life (QoL) and arm circumference after LVA, and to explore differences between patent and non-patent anastomosis and its correlation with clinical improvement.

Methods

Twenty-five patients underwent indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography, lymph ICF-questionnaire, and arm circumference measurement preoperatively and 12 months after the LVA procedure.

Results

Seventy-six percent of the patients showed at least one patent anastomosis after 12 months. Quality of life according to the Lymph-ICF increased significantly (p < 0.000); however, arm circumference showed no significant decrease. Sixty-five percent discontinued wearing compression stockings. The patent anastomosis group, compared with the non-patent anastomosis group showed, without significance, more improvement in QoL, arm circumference, and discontinuation of compression stockings, as well as a lower rate of infections both pre- and postoperatively, a shorter duration of lymphedema preoperatively, and a higher rate of early lymphedema and ICG stage.

Conclusions

LVA showed an acceptable patency and positive correlation between a patent anastomosis and clinical improvement after 12 months. Further research with a larger study population is required to determine whether outcomes or patient characteristics significantly correlate with a patent anastomosis after LVA operation.

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Title: Correlation between patency and clinical improvement after lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in breast cancer-related lymphedema: 12-month follow-up
Authors: Joost A. G. N. Wolfs
Luuke G. E. H. de Joode
René R. W. J. van der Hulst
Shan S. Qiu
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Breast Cancer
Lymphedema
Breast Cancer
Lymphography
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-019-05450-2

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