Neoplastic, Inflammatory and Degenerative Conditions

Extremity Reconstruction

Experimental Assessment of Autologous Lymph Node Transplantation as Treatment of Postsurgical Lymphedema

Tobbia D, Semple J, Baker A, et al (Univ of Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Plast Reconstr Surg 124:777-786, 2009^§

S.H. Miller, MD, MPH

Evidence Ranking

• B

Expert Rating

• 2

Abstract

Background

The authors’ objective was to test whether the transplantation of an autologous lymph node into a nodal excision site in sheep would restore lymphatic transport function and reduce the magnitude of postsurgical lymphedema.

Methods

As a measure of lymph transport, iodine-125 human serum albumin was injected into prenodal vessels at 8 and 12 weeks after surgery, and plasma levels of the protein were used to calculate the transport rate of the tracer to blood (percent injected per hour). Edema was quantified from the circumferential measurement of the hind limbs.