The dynamic-lymphaticovenular anastomosis method for breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema: Creation of functional lymphaticovenular anastomoses with use of preoperative dynamic ultrasonography

摘要

Background: Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is generally an effective procedure for breast cancer treatment-related upper extremity lymphedema (UEL). Clinical improvement is, however, limited by the degree of sclerosis of the lymphatic vessels. We have developed a method by which we use dynamic ultrasonography to depict vessels through which lymph can be propelled into the LVA under the power of the patient's natural hand movements.