The lateral intercostal artery perforator as an alternative donor vessel for free vascularized lymph node transplantation

Chronic lymphedema is caused by an impairment of the lymphatic system due to primary or secondary causes. Vascularized lymph node transplantation (VLNT) is currently the most promising and frequently used technique besides lymphaticovenous anastomosis. However, the vessel anatomy in the lateral thoracic region is sometimes quite variable. Based on our experiences with vascular anatomical inconstancy in the lateral thoracic region, we planned a lateral intercostal artery perforator flap for VLNT in a female patient with chronic stage II lymphedema of both legs after cervical cancer treatment. After surgery, the patient reported significant improvement in limb volume and the accompanying symptoms. The limb circumference was reduced by an average of 19.2% at 6 months postoperatively. Despite having a short pedicle and small vessel caliber, the lateral intercostal artery perforator flap can safely be used for VLNT in lymphedema patients with anatomical variants.

Keywords

Lymphedema - Transplantation, autologous - Perforator flap - Microsurgery - Free tissue flaps

INTRODUCTION

Vascularized lymph node transplantation (VLNT) was first pioneered by Becker et al. [1]. They treated 24 female patients with secondary chronic arm lymphedema after breast cancer treatment with good results. One of the main drawbacks of VLNT is iatrogenic lymphedema at the donor site, especially in the arm and leg region [2]. For this reason, further options for lymph node harvest have been developed [3] [4] [5] [6].

Mardonado et al. [3] presented a prospective study with 100 consecutive cases of supraclavicular lymph node flaps. They reported no flap loss and no cases of iatrogenic lymphedema at the donor site. In 2017, Nguyen et al. [5] presented 42 patients who underwent a free omental lymphatic flap with significant symptom improvement. A substantial benefit of omental lymphatic flaps is avoiding the possibility of iatrogenic lymphedema, but a double-boarded plastic and general surgeon is necessary to harvest the flap. Finally, Poccia et al. [7] described a platysma-sparing submental lymph node flap that did not cause donor site lymphedema.

Since February 2011, we have treated 78 chronic lymphedema patients with VLNT. Our usual donor sites are the groin and the lateral thoracic region. In some cases, we have experienced very inconsistent vessel anatomy in the lateral thoracic region. Usually, our lymph node flaps are based on a side branch of the thoracodorsal or lateral thoracic artery, but sometimes those vessels are difficult to find due to extensive anatomic variance. In such cases, the lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) is a reliable alternative as a donor vessel.

CASE

This study was authorized by the ethical review committee (IRB No. 7/18s).

The patient was a 35-year-old woman (height, 1.67 m; weight, 85 kg; body mass index, 30.5 kg/m²) who had suffered from chronic stage II lymphedema of both lower extremities, including both feet, after cervical cancer therapy (lymphadenectomy, irradiation, and chemotherapy) since 2015. The lymphedema was more distinctive on the right side. The accompanying symptoms were chronic pain, meteoropathy, skin tension, and reduced mobility. She irregularly received manual lymph drainage (MLD), wore compression garments, and also suffered from hypothyroidism. She regularly took diuretics and L-thyroxine. She was also an active smoker (29.4 pack-years) and did not quit perioperatively ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1. Chronic stage II lymphedema in lower extremities

We use specific self-developed preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative questionnaires as standardized documentation, which include information about the recipient and donor sites. Prior to surgery, lymphoscintigraphy of both lower limbs was performed, revealing delayed lymph drainage on the right side. After 7 minutes, only the left groin lymph nodes could be visualized. Limb circumference was measured manually from the distal to proximal aspects at the levels of 4 cm, 20 cm, and 40 cm using a measuring tape (starting from the ankle). The perforators were marked in the left thoracic region using Doppler ultrasonography. After obtaining written informed consent, 2 teams participated in the procedure ([Fig. 2]).

Fig. 2. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy 7 minutes after the injection

One team harvested the lymph node flap from the left thoracic region, while the other team prepared the recipient site in the right groin region for implantation. Loupe magnification was used during preparation. The femoral artery and vein with their side branches were exposed and scar tissue was removed meticulously. After a skin incision, the skin was detached from the flap (fat tissue), which was located at the same level as the nipple on the anterior axillary line (level 1). A higher preparation was avoided to prevent lymphedema formation. The flap was then harvested from the distal to proximal aspects, and the muscle fascia from the thorax was included. Two LICAPs could be found nourishing the flap. Both perforators and their concomitant veins were isolated and dissected all the way to the intercostal artery. To avoid the risk of lung injury (e.g., pneumothorax), the dissection was ended here. The larger-caliber artery (around 0.4–0.5 mm) was chosen as the donor vessel and the flap was prepared for microanastomosis using a microscope. The flap size was approximately 9×10 cm ([Fig. 3]).

Fig. 3. Surgical approach for harvesting (A) Preoperative markings of the skin incision, flap size, and perforators. (B) Two perforators from the left intercostal artery (LICAP) were identified during the dissection. (C) LICAP lymph node flap after harvesting, with the vein and artery clip-marked. LICAP, lateral intercostal artery perforator.

The recipient vessels were side branches from the femoral artery and vein, and anastomoses were performed using Ethilon sutures (10-0 sutures for the artery and 11-0 for the vein). Afterwards, the flap was placed over the main vessels and fixed subcutaneously with Vicryl 4-0 sutures. Drains were placed in both wounds and closed using multilayered Vicryl (3-0 and 4-0) and Monocryl (3-0) sutures. The patient stayed in the hospital for 7 days, and received 500 mg of oral cefuroxime 3 times per day for 1 week and prophylactic anticoagulation subcutaneously. Starting 1 day after surgery, she was allowed to mobilize herself, without flexing her hip for 4 weeks. MLD was started immediately, without involving the surgical site for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, full MLD was permitted. The patient came to the outpatient department for follow-up examinations at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. At each appointment, photos were taken, the limb circumference was measured, and the patient’s history was documented using our questionnaire.

Six weeks postoperatively, all wounds had healed without any complications. No signs of infection or implant failure could be detected. The mean reduction of limb circumference was 26.8% ([Fig. 4]).

Fig. 4. Six weeks after surgery Six weeks after vascularized lymph node transplantation with a lateral intercostal artery perforator flap.

After 6 months, the patient reported no pain, meteoropathy, or skin tension, and her mobility had improved. The tissue was softer and she reported improvement in the volume of edema. The 6-month evaluation indicated that she did not need to receive complex decongestive therapy, and the mean reduction of the limb circumference was found to be 19.2%. Lymphoscintigraphy at 6 months showed a significant improvement in lymph drainage on the right side. After 10 minutes, the groin lymph nodes on both sides could be detected and the lymph drainage was symmetric in comparison to the preoperative imaging ([Fig. 5]).

Fig. 5. Postoperative lymphoscintigraphy 10 minutes after the injection

For upcoming follow-ups (at 1, 1.5, and 2 years) the patient’s history and limb circumference will be documented, and photos will be taken again. After 1 year, lymphoscintigraphy will be performed again. If there is no significant improvement after 1 or 2 years, a 2nd lymph node transplantation into the popliteal space or ankle region can be considered. Alternatively, lymphaticovenous anastomoses can be performed ([Tables 1], [2] and [Fig. 6]).

Table 1.

Clinical results after 6 months

Clinical data	Preoperative status	Postoperative status
Pain	Yes	No
Skin tension	Yes	No
Meteoropathy	Yes	No
Reduced mobility	Yes	Improvement
Compression garments	Yes	No
Complex decongestive therapy	Irregular	No
Lymphoscintigraphy	Impaired	Improved uptake

Table 2.

Improvement of limb circumference after LICAP flap

Measurement level	Preoperative CF (cm)	Postoperative CF
		6 Weeks (cm)	6 Months (cm)
Values given in parentheses are the percentage values of circumference decrease. LICAP, lateral intercostal artery perforator; CF, circumference.
4 cm	32	23.0 (–28.1)	26.0 (–18.8)
20 cm	48	40.4 (–15.8)	41.5 (–13.5)
40 cm	73	46.4 (–36.4)	56.0 (–23.3)
Mean circumference	51	36.6 (–26.8)	41.2 (–19.2)

Fig. 6. Six months after surgery The patient reported no pain, skin tension, or meteoropathy, and her mobility had improved.

DISCUSSION

The field of surgical lymphedema treatment is still improving, and there is no generally recognized state-of-the-art technique [8]. Currently, VLNT and lymphaticovenous anastomoses are the most promising approaches to treat chronic lymphedema [9] [10]. Increasingly, many reconstructive surgeons tend to combine these 2 techniques to enhance their results [11]. However, the correct indications must be considered. Lymphatic surgery in general is quite sophisticated in terms of the required technical skills and experience in microsurgery. Moreover, the evolution of high-quality microinstruments has contributed to the rapid improvements in microsurgery.

To minimize iatrogenic lymphedema formation at the donor site, a supraclavicular, submental, or omental lymphatic free flap should be considered, and these techniques should be included in the repertoire of a reconstructive microsurgeon. Except for the quite long learning curve for harvesting a supraclavicular or submental lymphatic free flap and the need for a general surgeon to harvest an omental lymphatic free flap, all these procedures seem to be reproducible and safe in the hands of a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon.

However, the LICAP flap as a free vascularized lymph node transplant from the lateral thoracic region is a good alternative option if the usual donor vessels, such as the thoracodorsal or lateral thoracic artery, are lacking or show considerable anatomic variance. The LICAP flap was previously described as a free flap, but is generally considered a pedicled flap by various authors, and its use has been reported for different indications [12] [13] [14] [15]. Hwang et al. [12] also experienced vessel variance in the lateral thoracic region and therefore switched to the LICAP flap. Especially for demanding breast reconstruction procedures, the local LICAP flap provides additional opportunities [15]. In recent years, a sensate intercostal artery perforator flap for plantar reconstruction was even presented by Iida et al. [14] in 2014.

Unlike recent authors, we used a free LICAP lymph node flap for the treatment of chronic lymphedema. The vessel anatomy of LICAPs is constant and the dissection procedure is quite simple. Despite the short pedicle and the small vessel size, the LICAP flap can be anastomosed safely in the recipient region. Careful dissection should be performed near the main vessel (intercostal artery) to avoid thoracic injuries such as pneumothorax. Additionally, the intercostal nerve should be preserved to prevent postoperative pain or discomfort in the thoracic region. The LICAP flap is a reliable alternative if there are no other side branches or perforators during VLNT.

NOTES

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Technical University of Munich (IRB No. 7/18s) and performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consents were obtained.

Patient consent

The patient provided written informed consent for the publication and the use of her images.

Conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The authors would like to thank Haydar Kuekrek for surgical assistance.

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Publication History

Received: 16 August 2017

Accepted: 08 February 2018

Article published online:
03 April 2022