Perforator-to-Perforator SCIP-Based Vascularized Lymphnode Transfer to Reduce Morbidity and Increase Efficacy in Lymphedema Surgery: Preliminary Results With 12 Cases

Background

Vascularized lymphnode transfer (VLNT) is one of the most common surgical treatments for moderate and severe lymphedema. Various techniques have been described for harvesting lymph nodes from different donor sites. However, a standardized harvest procedure is still lacking. The transplantation of inguinal lymph nodes using the perforator-to-perforator technique may represent a significant advancement in this context. This approach relies always on the same vascular pedicle, offers a lower morbidity, and allows for a more superficial inset at the recipient site.

Patients and Methods

Between 2019 and 2022, 12 patients received a perforator-to-perforator VLNT for the treatment of late stage (Late II) lymphedema, both primary and secondary. In all cases, the lymphnodes were harvested from the groin supplied by the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) vessels. The average age was 62.2 years old (range 47–73 years old); nine patients were females and three were males. In 11 cases, the lower limb was affected, and in one case, the upper limb was affected. Eight patients received additional lymphovenous anastomosis.

Results

All the patients reported an improvement of the symptoms after surgery in terms of tissue quality (tenderness, lymphangiectasia, and pain), and no cases of recurrent cellulitis were reported. Postoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed at 6 months, and in all cases, the function of transplanted lymphnodes was confirmed. No complications were encountered, neither at donor nor at recipient site. The follow-up was at least 12 months in all patients.

Conclusions

Despite being more technically demanding, the systematic implementation of the perforator-to-perforator technique for the transfer of SCIP-based inguinal lymphnodes can be a valuable evolution of VLNT. The aim of this study is to present how this technical approach may become a standardized procedure for inguinal-based VLNT, offering a reduced donor and recipient site morbidity and potentially enhancing the lymph draining effects due to a more superficial inset.