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Soft Tissue Defect Reconstruction and Lymphatic Complications Prevention: The Lymphatic Flow-Through (LyFT) Concept
Mario F Scaglioni1, Matteo Meroni1, Elmar Fritsche1
1Hand- and Plastic Surgery Department, Luzerner Kantonsspital, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|April 23, 2022
Summary
Lymphatic flow-through flaps (LyFT) effectively restore lymphatic drainage and reconstruct soft tissue defects. This versatile technique reduces postoperative lymphatic complications in trauma or surgery patients.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Microsurgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Severe damage to lymphatic-rich areas necessitates both soft tissue reconstruction and lymphatic drainage restoration.
- Postoperative lymphatic complications are a significant concern in such cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the lymphatic flow-through flap (LyFT) concept in reducing postoperative lymphatic complications.
- To demonstrate LyFT as a potential solution for combined soft tissue defect reconstruction and lymphatic drainage restoration.
Main Methods:
- 12 patients with soft tissue defects and compromised lymphatic pathways received LyFTs between 2018-2021.
- Various flaps were used, including superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP), deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), vertical posteromedial thigh (vPMT), and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps.
- Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography were employed for lymphatic pathway identification and anastomosis patency confirmation.
Main Results:
- All 12 patients achieved satisfactory functional and aesthetic reconstructive outcomes.
- No secondary surgeries were required, with only one minor complication (infected seroma) managed conservatively.
- Mean follow-up was 9.9 months, indicating sustained positive results.
Conclusions:
- Lymphatic flow-through flaps are effective in mitigating lymphatic complications following reconstructive surgery.
- LyFT offers a versatile solution applicable across different body regions and utilizing various flap types.
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