# Cervical lymphatic tissue as an alternative donor site for the microsurgical treatment of secondary lymphedema in limbs

## TL;DR

Cervical lymphatic tissue can be used as a donor site for microsurgical treatment of lymphedema, showing promising results in some patients.

## Contribution

The study introduces cervical lymphatic tissue as a novel donor site for lymphedema surgery.

## Key findings

- Two of five patients showed complete improvement in limb measurements.
- Two patients experienced over 50% improvement in symptoms.
- One patient showed no improvement and was lost to follow-up.

## Abstract

•Vascularized lymphatic tissue from cervical levels appears to be a viable donor site for the microsurgical transplant treatment of lymphedema.•In this study, complete improvement in the measures of certain parts of the affected limb was observed in two of the five patients.•This method may yield promising future outcomes, constituting a new area of practice for head and neck surgeons.

Vascularized lymphatic tissue from cervical levels appears to be a viable donor site for the microsurgical transplant treatment of lymphedema.

In this study, complete improvement in the measures of certain parts of the affected limb was observed in two of the five patients.

This method may yield promising future outcomes, constituting a new area of practice for head and neck surgeons.

To describe cervical lymphnodes as an option for a donor area for the transfer of vascularized tissue in lymphedema surgeries.

Five microsurgical procedures were performed to transfer vascularized lymphatic tissue from cervical stages Ib, III, or IV as the donor site. Patient outcomes were evaluated from 15 to 180 days postoperatively using metric assessments and photographic documentation.

In this study, complete improvement in the measures of certain parts of the affected limb was observed in two of the five patients (100% improvement). Two patients experienced an improvement of over 50%. One patient, lost to follow-up, showed no improvement.

Lymphatic tissue from cervical levels appears to be a viable donor site for the surgical treatment of lymphedema in the limbs. This method may yield promising future outcomes, constituting a new area of practice for head and neck surgeons.

Level IV.