Lymphedema has been bothering some breast cancer patients after surgery
Ms. Chen developed lymphedema after breast cancer surgery two years ago. She tried various conservative treatments, but the edema gradually increased. Her arms were swollen, unable to bend, had difficulty moving, and almost lost the ability to work. Her life was very difficult. inconvenient.
Recently, Liu Zhenzhen, director of the Breast Department of Henan Cancer Hospital, and his team challenged the limit to build a circuit on the lymphatic vessels and venous blood vessels as thin as a hair, and took the lead in the province to carry out “limb lymphatic venous anastomosis”, which solved the problem. Her troubles for years.
The success of this operation also marks that the hospital’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment center leads the province in super microsurgery technology.
Lymphedema is the “nightmare” of breast cancer patients after surgery
Lymphedema is a local block edema caused by the obstruction of lymphatic flow in some parts and the abnormal increase of fluid in the interstitial space due to some reasons.
Secondary lymphedema is the most common surgical complication in breast cancer patients. There is often thickening of the unilateral arm, and later the skin is thickened, rough, and tough like elephant skin.
In China, according to incomplete statistics, the number of patients with lymphedema is about 40 million, and secondary lymphedema accounts for about 2/3. Patients who have undergone modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer with axillary lymph node dissection and radiation therapy have a 30% chance of developing lymphedema in the affected limb.
Lymphedema is prone to recurring attacks. Without effective intervention, patients will suffer from abnormal limb appearance, susceptibility to fatigue, functional impairment, etc., and even physical disability, which will seriously affect the quality of life of patients.
In 2018, Henan Cancer Hospital established the province’s first lymphedema treatment clinic, adopting a conservative treatment method of comprehensive detumescence treatment to detumescence for patients with upper limb edema on the affected side after breast cancer surgery!
Ms. Chen had received comprehensive anti-swelling therapy for several times in the lymphedema clinic of the hospital, which was relieved, but the edema continued to worsen.
“Like a nightmare, it is like a shadow, and the pain is unbearable!” Ms. Chen found Director Liu Zhenzhen again for a solution.
Surgical treatment provides new approach for lymphedema treatment
For Ms. Chen, who failed conservative treatment, the only chance was surgery for lymphedema.
Liu Zhenzhen introduced that the current surgical treatment includes resection of local lesions, lymphatic venous anastomosis, and lymph node transplantation with blood supply.
After preoperative discussion, the experts decided that the lymphatic venous anastomosis is more suitable for Ms. Chen.
This operation requires cutting the blocked lymphatic vessels, reconnecting veins thinner than a toothpick under a “super” microscope, and rebuilding the lymphatic return path, and it is extremely difficult to ensure that there is no extravasation of the fluid, but it is extremely difficult. Can greatly improve edema problems.
At present, there are very few breast clinics in China that independently carry out lymphatic supermicrosurgery reconstruction.
Over the years, the breast department team of Henan Cancer Hospital has closely followed the development of emerging clinical technologies in international super microsurgery, and has accumulated a solid foundation in microsurgery.
Looking at the helpless “old patient”, Liu Zhenzhen and the team decided to challenge and strive for a glimmer of hope for the patient. The preoperative preparation was sufficient, and with the assistance of the ultrasound expert and chief physician Wang Yan, a detailed lymphatic vessel localization examination was carried out.
The venous blood vessels and lymphatic vessels under the microscope are only 0.3 mm-0.6 mm in diameter
Under the blessing of the microscope, the breast microsurgeons Yang Yue and Gong Xilong performed the anastomosis operation with precision
After 7 hours of high-precision surgery like “embroidery” on the “hair”, Director Liu Zhenzhen and his team successfully completed the anastomosis.
6 days after the operation, Ms. Chen’s arm was noticeably thinner, and the surrounding tissue became soft. Ms. Chen said that she felt much more relaxed, and the feel and texture of the skin also improved a lot.
Director Liu Zhenzhen reminds the majority of patients that prevention is better than cure for secondary lymphedema. In case of lymphedema, actively seek the best treatment, improve the appearance and function of the affected limb in the shortest time, improve the quality of life and living standard after surgery, and let the majority of women return to society and family, and bloom the most beautiful self in the flowery season. !