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Intra-abdominal Lymph Nodes: A Privileged Donor Site for Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer
Carrie K Chu1, Mark V Schaverien1, Edward I Chang1
1Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tex.
A variety of donor options for vascularized lymph node transfer for the surgical treatment of lymphedema have been described. Intra-abdominal harvest sites including the gastroepiploic nodes within the omental flap and the mesenteric node flap are distinguished from their extra-abdominal counterparts by the absent risk of iatrogenic donor site lymphedema and discrete scar location, as well as the ability to harvest up to 3 vascularized nodal packets from 1 donor site. However, there are also potential morbidities including hernia and intra-abdominal visceral injuries. Patient selection and flap harvest techniques are reviewed.
A variety of donor options for vascularized lymph node transfer for the surgical treatment of lymphedema have been described. Intra-abdominal harvest sites including the gastroepiploic nodes within the omental flap and the mesenteric node flap are distinguished from their extra-abdominal counterparts by the absent risk of iatrogenic donor site lymphedema and discrete scar location, as well as the ability to harvest up to 3 vascularized nodal packets from 1 donor site. However, there are also potential morbidities including hernia and intra-abdominal visceral injuries. Patient selection and flap harvest techniques are reviewed.
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