Sequential anastomosis for lymphatic supermicrosurgery: multiple lymphaticovenular anastomoses on 1 venule.

Abstract

Supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is becoming a treatment option for progressive lymphedema. Various types of LVA such as end-to-end, end-to-side, side-to-end, and side-to-side are performed to improve the treatment efficacy. We applied sequential anastomosis for LVA surgery, in which 2 lymphatic vessels were anastomosed to 1 venule using side-to-side and side-to-end anastomoses. Six lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) patients who underwent sequential anastomosis were included in this study. Feasibility, anastomosis patency, and treatment effect of the method were evaluated. Six sequential anastomoses were performed on 6 lymphedematous limbs. All sequential anastomoses showed good anastomosis patency after completion of anastomoses. A significant decrease in LEL index was seen postoperatively (244.0 ± 14.6; postoperative LEL index vs 263.5 ± 19.4; preoperative LEL index, P = 0.002). Sequential anastomosis can divert both normograde and retrograde lymph flows from 2 lymphatic vessels into 1 venule. Sequential LVA is a useful method to increase lymph flow bypasses, when there are fewer venules than lymphatic vessels.