Key Points Superficial inguinal lymph nodes targeted for harvest lie between the groin crease and inguinal ligament. The vascular supply of these nodes is typically the superficial circumflex iliac artery. These nodes typically drain the lower abdomen; however, there are…
Key Points The axillary donor site has the highest reported incidence of lymphedema. Preoperative imaging facilitates surgical planning and establishes a baseline for postoperative comparison. Reverse lymphatic mapping identifies lymphatic drainage patterns, identifying lymph nodes for transfer while minimizing the…
Introduction Lymphedema can develop as a result of developmental or genetic abnormalities intrinsic to the lymphatic system (primary lymphedema) or secondary to extrinsic factors (infections, trauma, malignancy, obesity, etc.) that impair lymphatic function. Although the common denominator in both lymphedema…
Introduction Up until recently, lymphedema has largely remained on the sidelines of microsurgery. For many years, most microsurgeons avoided lymphatic reconstruction because of inconsistent results, lack of published data, and concerns regarding safety in a poorly understood disease process. Fortunately,…