ArticleBreast cancer research and treatment2025
Vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) versus lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) for chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL): a retrospective cohort study of effectiveness over time.
Article in Breast cancer research and treatment, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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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.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Efficacy of physical therapy for prevention and treatment of postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Pooled it
- Lymphovenous bypass for the treatment of secondary lymphedema: A meta-analysis of prospective outcomes.Breast cancer research and treatment · 2025Pooled it
- Robotic-assisted lymphatic surgery for lymphedema: Bibliometric mapping of an emerging reconstructive field.JPRAS open · 2026Review
- Short- and Long-term Patency of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Lymphovenous Anastomosis for Extremity Lymphedema: A Systematic Review.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Effectiveness of Home-Based Progressive Resistance Exercise in the Management of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- 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
- Lymphovenous Anastomosis for Treatment of Breast Lymphedema Following Delayed Autologous Reconstruction: A Case Report.Microsurgery · 2026Article
- Exploring the Role of AI in Managing Treatment Recommendations for Lymphedema: International, Multidisciplinary, Multiprofessional Survey Study of Trust, Reliability, and Impact on Decision-Making.JMIR medical informatics · 2026Article
- A Practical Algorithm for Donor- and Recipient-site Selection in Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer in Extremity Lymphedema.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- Neurolymphatic clearance in neurodegenerative disease: Emerging mechanisms and potential translational strategies.JPRAS open · 2026Review
- Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Nursing-Led Strategies - A Narrative Review.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Review
- Epigenetic reprogramming via EZH2 inhibition rescues fibroadipose pathogenesis in secondary lymphedema through activating PPARγ signaling.Journal of orthopaedic translation · 2025Article
- Proximal vs. Recipient Site for Vascular Lymph Node Transfers for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- [Single-stage treatment of upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery using superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator-based vascularized lymph node transfer combined with lymphaticovenular anastomosis and liposuction].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2025Article
- [Clinical efficacy of vascularized lymph node transfer combined with lymphatico-venous anastomosis in treating unilateral upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy for breast cancer].Zhonghua shao shang yu chuang mian xiu fu za zhi · 2025Article
- Lymphovenous anastomosis: microsurgical innovation and clinical outcomes in breast cancer-related lymphedema care.Frontiers in surgery · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeMicrosurgical reconstruction, including vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) and lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA), have emerged as promising treatment options for chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Despite their clinical relevance, the precise timelines for patient improvement following these interventions remain rather unexplored. Therefore, the goal of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes and improvement patterns over time of VLNT versus LVA to lay open potential differences and aid in personalized counseling of future patients.
methodsA prospectively maintained, encrypted database was analyzed for patients with chronic BCRL treated with either VLNT or LVA with a minimum follow-up of one year. Patient-specific variables, such as body weight and circumferential arm measurements at distinct locations on both arms were documented preoperatively and on regular postoperative outpatient follow-ups.
resultsThis study comprised 112 patients, of which 107 patients fully completed the one-year follow-up period. Both VLNT and LVA achieved significant arm size reductions. LVA showed an early peak in effectiveness within the first three months, followed by a subsequent decrease and eventual stabilization. Contrarily, VLNT exhibited a distinct pattern with two significant peaks at three and eighteen months.
conclusionsVLNT and LVA are both effective in long-term lymphedema management, yet they demonstrate marked differences in the timing of improvement. VLNT shows a delayed but more durable response, in contrast to the greater but shorter-lasting surge in effectiveness achieved by LVA. Interestingly, VLNT demonstrates an earlier onset of therapeutic impact than previously understood.
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