{
    "abstract": "Supermicrosurgical lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA) can improve limbs lymphedema. We describe a technique that we employ for preoperative lymphatic mapping of the upper limb (UL), when indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography shows only dermal backflow (DB) and no lymphatic vessel is detectable.\nSixteen patients undergoing LVA for unilateral UL lymphedema, showing \"stardust\" or \"diffuse\" DB pattern, were included. Demographic, clinical data, and limbs measurements were recorded. LymQoL arm questionnaire was administered. Mean age of patients was 58.8\u00a0\u00b1\u00a013.1\u00a0years. Fifteen were females and 1 male. Lymphatic anatomy of the healthy limb was investigated by ICG lymphography and reported on the affected limb by a four steps technique: marking the main lymphatic pathway on the healthy limb, measuring of the distances at seven levels between the pathway and a line joining fixed landmarks, reporting these measurements on the affected limb with a correction proportional to the degree of swelling, marking skin incisions at the intersection of this pathway with venules, individuated by near infrared light system. Results were analyzed by postoperative questionnaire and changes of limb measurements.\nFor every limb, we could find 3\u00a0\u00b1\u00a00.73\u00a0incision sites each containing at least one lymphatic vessel suitable for anastomosis. In every patient, we could perform 3.38\u00a0\u00b1\u00a00.62 anastomoses. Mean follow-up was 12.13\u00a0\u00b1\u00a02.73\u00a0months. After surgery, mean preoperative QoL score increased from 5.5\u00a0to 7.9 (P\u00a0<\u00a0.001), and mean difference between the mean circumferences of the affected and healthy limbs decreased from 4.3\u00a0\u00b1\u00a01.3 to 2.5\u00a0\u00b1\u00a01.3\u00a0cm, showing improvement of swelling after surgery (P\u00a0<\u00a0.01).\nThis technique allowed to preoperatively map UL lymphatics even if diffuse DB was present.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli 1, Rome 00168, Italy.",
            "firstname": "Stefano",
            "initials": "S",
            "lastname": "Gentileschi"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Catholic University Sacred Heart, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli 1, Rome 00168, Italy.",
            "firstname": "Maria",
            "initials": "M",
            "lastname": "Servillo"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Catholic University Sacred Heart, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli 1, Rome 00168, Italy.",
            "firstname": "Roberta",
            "initials": "R",
            "lastname": "Albanese"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Catholic University Sacred Heart, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli 1, Rome 00168, Italy.",
            "firstname": "Francesca",
            "initials": "F",
            "lastname": "De Bonis"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ospedale Cristo Re, Via delle Calasanziane 25, Rome 00168, Italy.",
            "firstname": "Girolamo",
            "initials": "G",
            "lastname": "Tartaglione"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Catholic University Sacred Heart, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli 1, Rome 00168, Italy.",
            "firstname": "Marzia",
            "initials": "M",
            "lastname": "Salgarello"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": "This technique allowed to preoperatively map UL lymphatics even if diffuse DB was present.",
    "copyrights": "\u00a9 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.",
    "doi": "10.1002/micr.30247",
    "journal": "Microsurgery",
    "keywords": [],
    "methods": null,
    "publication_date": "2017-09-28",
    "pubmed_id": "28952193",
    "results": "For every limb, we could find 3\u00a0\u00b1\u00a00.73\u00a0incision sites each containing at least one lymphatic vessel suitable for anastomosis. In every patient, we could perform 3.38\u00a0\u00b1\u00a00.62 anastomoses. Mean follow-up was 12.13\u00a0\u00b1\u00a02.73\u00a0months. After surgery, mean preoperative QoL score increased from 5.5\u00a0to 7.9 (P\u00a0<\u00a0.001), and mean difference between the mean circumferences of the affected and healthy limbs decreased from 4.3\u00a0\u00b1\u00a01.3 to 2.5\u00a0\u00b1\u00a01.3\u00a0cm, showing improvement of swelling after surgery (P\u00a0<\u00a0.01).",
    "title": "Lymphatic mapping of the upper limb with lymphedema before lymphatic supermicrosurgery by mirroring of the healthy limb.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x7885036fe430>"
}