Phase 1 Lymfactin® Study: 24-month Efficacy and Safety Results of Combined Adenoviral VEGF-C and Lymph Node Transfer Treatment for Upper Extremity Lymphedema.

Background: Lymphedema is a common problem after breast cancer treatment. Lymfactin® is a prolymphangiogenic growth factor vector inducing the expression of human vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C). It promotes growth and repair of lymphatic vessels.

Low TGF-β1 in Wound Exudate Predicts Surgical Site Infection After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection.

Purpose: Surgical site infection (SSI) after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer increases morbidity and delays the onset of adjuvant treatment. Only a few studies have investigated the feasibility of wound exudate analysis in SSI prediction. This study assessed changes in cytokine levels in postsurgical wound exudate after ALND and examined their predictive value for the early diagnosis of SSI.

Long-term Results of Microvascular Lymph Node Transfer: Correlation of Preoperative Factors and Operation Outcome.

Unlabelled: Our objective was to analyze whether a correlation could be observed between preoperative factors and microvascular lymph node transfer outcome after long-term follow-up.

Methods: We included 67 patients in this retrospective case series. The incidence of cellulitis, the difference of arm circumference, the use of the compression garments both preoperatively and postoperatively, and subjective symptoms, such as pain, were analyzed.

Phase 1 Lymfactin Study: Short-term Safety of Combined Adenoviral VEGF-C and Lymph Node Transfer Treatment for Upper Extremity Lymphedema.

Objective: To study the safety and tolerability of Lymfactin treatment combined with microvascular lymph node transfer surgery in patients with upper limb lymphedema.

Background: Upper limb lymphedema is a common clinical challenge after breast cancer surgery and/or radiotherapy. Lymfactin is an adenovirus type 5-based gene therapy involving expression of human vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in the damaged tissue.

Combined Surgical Treatment for Chronic Upper Extremity Lymphedema Patients: Simultaneous Lymph Node Transfer and Liposuction.

Background: Upper limb lymphedema is a common problem after axillary lymph node dissection. Lymphatic drainage can be improved by microvascular lymph node transfer, whereas liposuction can be used to reduce arm volume and excess of adipose tissue. We present the results of chronic lymphedema patients who have undergone lymph node transfer and liposuction simultaneously in 1 operation and compare the results with patients who have undergone lymph node transfer without liposuction.

Anti-inflammatory effects of flap and lymph node transfer.

Background: Transfer of healthy tissue is commonly used in the treatment of complicated wounds and in reconstruction of tissue defects. Recently, microvascular lymph node transfer (LN) has been used to improve the lymphatic function in lymphedema patients. To elucidate the biological effects of flap transfer (with and without lymph nodes), we have studied the postoperative production of proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, prolymphangiogenic and antilymphangiogenic cytokines, and growth factors (interleukin 1α [IL-1α], IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], IL-10, transforming growth factor β1 [TGF-β1], IL-4 and IL-13, and vascular endothelial growth factor C [VEGF-C] and VEGF-D) in postoperative wound exudate samples.

[Lymphedema].

Chronic swelling due to lymphatic insufficiency (lymphedema) is a common problem after surgical operations, radiation therapy, injuries and infections. Overweight is a new but rapidly increasing component of lymphedema. Treatment of lymphedema is based on compression therapy, lymph therapy and physiotherapy as well as various surgical treatment alternatives.

Lymphatic vessel function and lymphatic growth factor secretion after microvascular lymph node transfer in lymphedema patients.

Background: Recent reports have shown that microvascular lymph node transfer may improve lymphatic drainage in lymphedema patients. Lymphatic anastomoses are expected to form spontaneously in response to lymphatic growth factor [vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C)] secreted by the transferred lymph nodes.

Methods: We have analyzed the results of 19 lymph node transfer patients operated on 2007-2012.

Donor-site lymphatic function after microvascular lymph node transfer.

Background: Lymphedema remains a challenging clinical problem that often lacks curative treatment options. Recent reports have shown that microvascular lymph node transfer from the groin area into axillas of lymphedematous patients may improve lymphatic drainage, but the effect on donor-site lymphatic flow has not been studied. These patients may be more prone to develop lymphedema at donor sites as well; therefore, the authors' aim was to evaluate postoperative donor-site lymphatic function.

Microvascular breast reconstruction and lymph node transfer for postmastectomy lymphedema patients.

Objective: Postoperative lymphedema after breast cancer surgery is a challenging problem. Recently, a novel microvascular lymph node transfer technique provided a fresh hope for patients with lymphedema. We aimed to combine this new method with the standard breast reconstruction.