• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.212-233
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• 2024

This is a retrospective review of surgical management for primary lymphedema. Data were extracted from 55 articles from PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials between the database inception and December 2022 to evaluate the outcomes of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), and outcomes of soft tissue extirpative procedures such as suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) and extensive soft tissue excision. Data from 485 patients were compiled; these were treated with LVA (n = 177), VLNT (n = 82), SAL (n = 102), and excisional procedures (n = 124). Improvement of the lower extremity lymphedema index, the quality of life (QoL), and lymphedema symptoms were reported in most studies. LVA and VLNT led to symptomatic relief and improved QoL, reaching up to 90 and 61% average circumference reduction, respectively. Cellulitis reduction was reported in 25 and 40% of LVA and VLNT papers, respectively. The extirpative procedures, used mainly in patients with advanced disease, also led to clinical improvement from the volume reduction, as well as reduced incidence of cellulitis, although with poor cosmetic results; 87.5% of these reports recommended postoperative compression garments. The overall complication rates were 1% for LVA, 13% for VLNT, 11% for SAL, and 46% for extirpative procedures. Altogether, only one paper lacked some kind of improvement. Primary lymphedema is amenable to surgical treatment; the currently performed procedures have effectively improved symptoms and QoL in this population. Complication rates are related to the invasiveness of the chosen procedure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.422-431
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• 2023

Background Posttraumatic lymphedema (PTL) is sparsely described in the literature. The aim of this study is to propose a comprehensive approach for prevention and treatment of PTL using lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and lymphatic vessels free flap, reporting our experience in the management of early-stage lymphedema. Methods A retrospective observational study was performed between October 2017 and July 2022. Functional assessment with magnetic resonance lymphangiography and indocyanine green lymphography was performed. Patients with lymphedema and functional lymphatic channels were included. Cases with limited soft tissue damage were proposed for LVA, and those with acute or prior soft tissue damage needing skin reconstruction were proposed for superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator lymphatic vessels free flap (SCIP-LV) to treat or prevent lymphedema. Primary and secondary outcomes were limb volume reduction and quality of life (QoL) improvement, respectively. Follow-up was at least 1 year. Results Twenty-eight patients were operated using this approach during the study period. LVA were performed in 12 patients; mean reduction of excess volume (REV) was 58.82% and the improvement in QoL was 49.25%. SCIP-LV was performed in seven patients with no flap failure; mean REV was 58.77% and the improvement QoL was 50.9%. Nine patients with acute injury in lymphatic critical areas were reconstructed with SCIP-LV as a preventive approach and no lymphedema was detected. Conclusion Our comprehensive approach provides an organized way to treat patients with PTL, or at risk of developing it, to have satisfactory results and improve their QoL.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.62-73
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• 1999

The purpose of this article was to provide basic knowledge and treatment principles of patient with lymphedema, which was usually not treated at all, or the treatment given didn't work efficiently. Lmphedema is defined as an abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid, edema, and chronic inflammation within an extremity. Lmphedema may be classified as either primary results from defects with aplasia, hypoplasia, and hyperplasia in the lymphatic system at birth or secondary is caused by known precipitating factors such as cancer, infection, inflammation, radiation, surgery, or trauma etc. There are essentially several conservative treatment methods which has been utilized successfully to treat lymphedema in Samsung Medical Center. We used following procedures: CPT (Complex Physical therapy) or CDP (Complex Decongesitive Physical therapy) such as skin care, MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage), compression with short-stretch bandage, exercise, elevation, elastic stocking, and pneumatic compression. Our experiences shows that conservative treatments can significantly reduce lymphedema and prevent different complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.219-223
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• 2021

Background A micro-arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a minute, short shunt between an artery and a vein that does not pass through a capillary. We investigated the association between micro-AVFs and lymphedema using computed tomography angiography (CTA) and venous blood gas analysis. Methods In 95 patients with lower limb lymphedema, the presence or absence of early venous return (EVR) was compared between patients with primary and secondary lymphedema. Furthermore, we investigated the difference in the timing of edema onset in patients with secondary lymphedema with or without EVR using CTA. In 20 patients with lower limb lymphedema with confirmed early EVR in a unilateral lower limb, the partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) was compared between the lower limb with EVR and the contralateral lower limb. Results Secondary lymphedema with or without EVR occurred at an average of 36.0±59.3 months and 93.5±136.1 months, respectively; however, no significant difference was noted. PO₂ was 57.6±11.7 mmHg and 44.1±16.4 mmHg in the EVR and non-EVR limbs, respectively, which was a significant difference (P=0.005). Conclusions EVR and venous blood gas analysis suggested the presence of micro-AVFs in patients with lower extremity edema. Further research is warranted to examine the cause of micro-AVFs, to advance technology to facilitate the confirmation of micro-AVFs by angiography, and to improve lymphedema by ligation of micro-AVFs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.275-279
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• 2018

Chronic lymphedema is caused by an impairment of the lymphatic system due to primary or secondary causes. Vascularized lymph node transplantation (VLNT) is currently the most promising and frequently used technique besides lymphaticovenous anastomosis. However, the vessel anatomy in the lateral thoracic region is sometimes quite variable. Based on our experiences with vascular anatomical inconstancy in the lateral thoracic region, we planned a lateral intercostal artery perforator flap for VLNT in a female patient with chronic stage II lymphedema of both legs after cervical cancer treatment. After surgery, the patient reported significant improvement in limb volume and the accompanying symptoms. The limb circumference was reduced by an average of 19.2% at 6 months postoperatively. Despite having a short pedicle and small vessel caliber, the lateral intercostal artery perforator flap can safely be used for VLNT in lymphedema patients with anatomical variants.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제37권8호
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• pp.718-721
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• 2004

유미흉은 여러 가지 원인에 의하여 유미액이 흉강 내로 유출되는 질병으로 드물게 하지의 림프 부종과 관련되어 유미흉이 발생한다. 본 교실에서 하지의 림프부종과 동반된 유미흉을 경험하였기에 보고하는 바이다. 우측 하지 부종이 있어 치료를 받아오던 14세 남자 환자가 흉통과 호흡곤란을 주소로 내원하였다. 과거력상 특발성 하지의 림프 부종으로 치료를 받고 있으며 흉부사진촬영에서 좌측 흉수가 발견되었고 검사실 소견상 유미액으로 판명되었다. 환자는 하지 림프부종과 동반된 유미흉으로 진단되어 흉강경을 이용한 흉관결찰술을 시행하였다.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.323-328
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• 2021

Background Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat lymphedema. Volumetric measurements and quality-of-life assessments are often performed to assess the effectiveness of LVA, but there is no method that provides information regarding postoperative morphological changes in lymphatic vessels and veins after LVA. Photoacoustic lymphangiography (PAL) is an optical imaging technique that visualizes the distribution of light-absorbing molecules, such as hemoglobin or indocyanine green (ICG), and provides three-dimensional images of superficial lymphatic vessels and the venous system simultaneously. In this study, we performed PAL in lymphedema patients before and after LVA and compared the images to evaluate the effect of LVA. Methods PAL was performed using the PAI-05 system in three patients (one man, two women) with lymphedema, including one primary case and two secondary cases, before LVA. ICG fluorescence lymphography was performed in all cases before PAL. Follow-up PAL was performed between 5 days and 5 months after LVA. Results PAL enabled the simultaneous visualization of clear lymphatic vessels that could not be accurately seen with ICG fluorescence lymphography and veins. We were also able to observe and analyze morphological changes such as the width and the number of lymphatic vessels and veins during the follow-up PAL after LVA. Conclusions By comparing preoperative and postoperative PAL images, it was possible to analyze the morphological changes in lymphatic vessels and veins that occurred after LVA. Our study suggests that PAL would be useful when assessing the effect of LVA surgery.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.81-84
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• 1988

유방절제술 후 임파육종은 유방암 환자에서 유방절제술 후 상지에 생기는 흔치 않은 악성 암이다. 유방절제술 후 임파육종에 평균 발병 연령은 63.9세이고 유방절제 후 발병할 때까지의 기간은 평균 10년 3개월이다. 유방절제술 후 임파육종은 혈관과 임파관에서부터 발생하는 것으로 알려져 있고 조직학적 소견은 진피의 부종과 악성세포로 둘러싸인 확장된 임파선이 특징이다. 견관절 분리술이나 전사분부 절제술 등의 광범위한 절제가 가장 효과적인 치료법으로 알려져 있고 방사선 치료를 포함한 다른 치료방법은 큰 도움이 않되는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 저자들은 유방절제술 후 만성 림프부종을 동반한 임파육종이 외부 방사선 조사에 의하여 종괴의 감소를 보여 이에 보고하는 바이다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.20-26
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• 2012

Purpose: To evaluate outcome and morbidity in patients with vulvar cancer treated with radiotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy or postoperative radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: The records of 24 patients treated with radiotherapy for vulvar cancer between July 1993 and September 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received once daily 1.8-4 Gy fractions external beam radiotherapy to median 51.2 Gy (range, 19.8 to 81.6 Gy) on pelvis and inguinal nodes. Seven patients were treated with primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy, one patient was treated with primary radiotherapy alone, four patients received palliative radiotherapy, and twelve patients were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. Results: Twenty patients were eligible for response evaluation. Response rate was 55% (11/20). The 5-year disease free survival was 42.2% and 5-year overall survival was 46.2%, respectively. Fifty percent (12/24) experienced with acute skin complications of grade III or more during radiotherapy. Late complications were found in 8 patients. 50% (6/12) of patients treated with lymph node dissection experienced severe late complications. One patient died of sepsis from lymphedema. However, only 16.6% (2/12) of patients treated with primary radiotherapy developed late complications. Conclusion: Outcome of patients with vulvar cancer treated with radiotherapy showed relatively good local control and low recurrence. Severe late toxicities remained higher in patients treated with both node dissection and radiotherapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제25권8호
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• pp.819-825
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• 1992

The omental pedicle flap[OFF] has been used for management of complicated problems in various fields of cardiovascular surgery. Its unique properties of enhancing neovascularity, relieving lymphedema, providing fibroblasts to promote healing, providing soft tissue coverage, & functioning in the face of existing infection make it ideal in managing many of the more complicated problems facing the thoracic surgeon. We have used omental pedicle for colosing of the bronchial fistula R esophageal fistula with filling the adjoining cavity after pneumonectomy. The successful closure of the bronchial stump with OFF were obtained in 2 cases, but one case was failed who was suffered from the esophageal fistula. The primary operation in each cases were right pleuropneumonctomy for tuberculous empyema in 2 cases & left pneumonectomy for chronic empyema in 1 case, We believe that the OFF is effective for closing fistula due to postoperative empyema k plombage procedures for dead space of infected thoracic cavity.