Then, the T.I. can vary from 0 (normal) to 45 (most abnormal). T.I. < 10 is considered normal.[9, 10] Surgical approach included complete excision of lymphocele with its capsule and microsurgical lymphatic-venous anastomoses (LVA) between afferent lymphatics and venous branch of great saphenous vein (Fig. 1). LVA were performed using microsurgical technique at the operating microscope (25–30× magnification) with an arm-sleeve technique. A U-shaped stitch was used to pull the lymphatics inside the vein all together, anastomosing several lymphatics to the same vein, due to the higher caliber of the vein LGK-974 research buy (2–3 mm), compared to the lymphatic one (0.1–0.2 mm). The segment of the

vein used for anastomosis was usually collateral branch of the main vein with a competent valvular system, so that there was no blood reflux into the anastomosis, thus preventing the closure of anastomosis with time. Six to eight stitches were used to fix adventitial lymphatic tissues to the venous cut-end (Fig. 2).[11] Patent Blue dye injection was used to identify lower limb lymphatics intraoperatively. The surgeon could find a technical difficulty to find out a proper venous segment for microanastomosis, if great saphenous vein had been previously ligated during nodal dissection. In this case, a preoperative venous ultrasound-guided

INK 128 mapping was indispensable to look for a sound venous branch to use for lymphatic-venous bypass. It was, furthermore, important to use a competent vein in order not to have any blood reflux into the shunt, thus avoiding its closure with time. In case there were no superficial veins, deep collateral branch of femoral vein could be prepared for anastomosis. Two suction drains, one round and one flat, were placed and removed averagely after 3–5 days with leg

bandaging in case of associated lymphedema. Drains were usually removed separately (before round drain) when 24-hour output was less than 30 ml. Patients were followed up clinically and by ultrasounds as Obatoclax Mesylate (GX15-070) concerns lymphocele and by volumetry for lower limb lymphedema (at 3 months and 1-year postoperative). Postoperative LS was performed after 1 year from operation. In nine patients with GL without LL, lymphocele completely disappeared and no appearance of lower limb postoperative lymphedema occurred. The other seven patients with associated secondary lymphedema had complete disappearance of lymphocele and a remarkable reduction of leg volume (averagely 80% excess volume decrease). Four of them completely recovered without the need of any compression garment, after the first year postoperative. After 3 months, either there were no clinical or instrumental signs of lymphocele and a significant reduction of limb excess volume. After 1 year, there was an almost complete decrease of this volume (Table 1). The preoperative volume difference between both legs was 2123 cc averagely. After 1 year, the mean volume difference was 265 cc (157–447).