Microsurgical Treatment of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema by Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis

LVA is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography is used to visualize the (obstructed) lymphatic vessels. When using the images as a guide, the lymphatic pathways and the sites for incisions for lymphaticovenous anastomoses are marked with a pen. The patient's limb is then prepared for surgery. Under a surgical microscope the lymphatic vessels are identified and viable lymphatic vessels are anastomosed to similarly sized adjacent recipient venules in the subdermal plane.