Donor defects after lymph vessel transplantation and free vascularized lymph node transfer: A comparison and evaluation of complications

BACKGROUND: Secondary lymphedema after surgical interventions is a progressive, chronic disease that is still not completely curable. Over the past years, a multitude of surgical therapy options have been described. AIM: To summarize the single-center complications in lymph vessel (LVTx) and free vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT). METHODS: In total, the patient collective consisted of 87 patients who were undergoing treatment for secondary leg lymphedema during the study period from March 2010 to April 2020. The data collection was performed preoperatively during consultations, as well as three weeks, six months and twelve months after surgical treatment. In the event of complications, more detailed follow-up checks were carried out. In total n = 18 robot-assisted omental lymph node transplantations, n = 33 supraclavicular lymph node transplantations and n = 36 Lymph vessel transplantations were analyzed. An exemplary drawing is shown in Figure 1. A graphical representation of patient selection is shown in Figure 2. Robotic harvest was performed with the Da Vinci Xi Robot Systems (Intuitive Surgical, CA, United States). RESULTS: In total, 11 male and 76 female patients were operated on. The mean age of the patients at study entry was: omental VLNT: 57.45 ± 8.02 years; supraclavicular VLNT: 49.76 ± 4.16 years and LVTx: 49.75 ± 4.95 years. The average observation time postoperative was: omental VLNT: 18 ± 3.48 mo; supraclavicular VLNT: 14.15 ± 4.9 and LVTx: 14.84 ± 4.46 mo. In our omental VLNT, three patients showed a slight abdominal sensation of tension within the first 12 postoperative days. No other donor side morbidities occurred. No intraoperative conversion to open technique was needed. Our supraclavicular VLNT collective showed 10 lift defect morbidities with one necessary surgical intervention. In our LVTx collective, 12 cases of donor side morbidity were registered. In one case, surgical intervention was necessary. CONCLUSION: Concerning donor side morbidity, robot-assisted omental VLNT is clearly superior to supraclavicular lymph node transplantation and LVTx.