SynthesisBreast cancer (Tokyo, Japan)2021
Microsurgical techniques in the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review of efficacy and patient outcomes.
Synthesis in Breast cancer (Tokyo, Japan), 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05441943 (Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis as a Surgical Treatment for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema), which is not on this map. Cited by 17 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis as a Surgical Treatment for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 32 citations in OpenAlex.
- Online Information on Lymphedema: Systematic Review of the Quality of Online Patient Resources.Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education · 2026Pooled it
- Pre- and Post-Microsurgical Rehabilitation Interventions and Outcomes on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: a Systematic Review.Current oncology reports · 2023Pooled it
- Cell therapy as a treatment of secondary lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Stem cell research & therapy · 2021Pooled it
- Review
- Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Surgery in Lymphedema: A Scoping Review of Current Applications, Clinical Translation, and Evidence Gaps.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Effective Treatment Approaches for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.Journal of plastic and reconstructive surgery · 2026Article
- "Debulking" the future of lymphedema surgery: A narrative review.JPRAS open · 2026Review
- High-frequency Ultrasound-assisted Lymphovenous Anastomosis for Male Breast Cancer Lymphedema.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training Efficiency.Clinics and practice · 2025Article
- Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping for Lymphedema in the Post-Mastectomy Patient: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Advances in surgical management of chronic lymphedema: current strategies and future directions.Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England) · 2025Review
- Modern approaches to lymphatic surgery: a narrative review.Translational breast cancer research : a journal focusing on translational research in breast cancer · 2025Review
- Evolving Role of Lymphedema Surgery on Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Multi-Institutional Algorithmic Approach.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Review
- Expert-consensus on lymphedema surgeries: candidacy, prehabilitation, and postoperative care.Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England) · 2024Article
- Improving quality of life after breast cancer: a comparison of two microsurgical treatment options for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).Clinical and experimental medicine · 2024Article
- Surgical management of breast cancer-related lymphedema: a narrative review of contemporary practices.Annals of translational medicine · 2023Review
- Distally Prophylactic Lymphaticovenular Anastomoses after Axillary or Inguinal Complete Lymph Node Dissection Followed by Radiotherapy: A Case Series.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionSecondary lymphedema is the abnormal collection of lymphatic fluid within subcutaneous structures. Patients with lymphedema suffer a low quality of life. In our study, we aim to provide a systematic review of the current data on patient outcomes regarding breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), and the most prevalent reconstructive techniques.
methodsA PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus literature search was performed in September 2020. Studies were screened based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), and it was reported in line with the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).
resultsThe search yielded 254 papers from 2010 to 2020. 67 were included in our study. Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA)-a minimally invasive procedure diverting the lymph into the dermal venous drainage system-combined with postoperative bandaging and compression garments yields superior results with minimal donor site lymphedema morbidity. Vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT)-another microsurgical technique, often combined with autologous free flap breast reconstruction-improves lymphedema and brachial plexus neuropathies, and reduces the risk of cellulitis. The combination of LVA and VLNT or with other methods maximizes their effectiveness. Vascularized lymph vessel transfer (VLVT) consists of harvesting certain lymph vessels, sparing the donor site's lymph nodes.
conclusionTogether with integrated lymphedema therapy, proper staging, and appropriate selection of procedure, safe and efficient surgical techniques can be beneficial to many patients with BCRL.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.