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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2022; 49(02): 150-157
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1744414
Breast/Trunk
Review Article

Optimizing Treatment of Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Using Combined DIEP Flap and Lymphedema Surgery

Edward I. Chang
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Abstract

Patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer who undergo an axillary dissection and require adjuvant therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy are at high risk of developing lymphedema of the associated extremity. Historically, patients with lymphedema were treated with ablative procedures aimed simply to remove excess fluid and adiposity; however, the field of lymphatic surgery employing super-microsurgery techniques has witnessed tremendous advances in a relatively short period of time. Advancements in surgical instruments, microscope magnification and optics, imaging technology, and surgeon experience have ushered in a new era of hope to treat patients suffering from breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL). Here we aim to present the available options for patients suffering from BCRL, and the pinnacle in reconstruction and restoration for these patients.

Keywords

breast cancer lymphedema - lymphedema surgery - breast reconstruction

Prior Presentation

This study was presented at the 77th Congress of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons PRS Korea 2019.


Patient consent

The patients provided written informed consent for the publication and the use of their images.




Publication History

Article published online:
06 April 2022

© 2022. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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