Lymphaticovenous anastomosis training model in rat

Abstract

Well established techniques of oncological surgery and radiotherapy are very valuable tools of our fight against cancer. Although effective and widely performed regional lymph node dissections seems to progress enabling lesser morbidity and better results; they are the most common cause of secondary lymphoedema in the industrialized world. During our reconstructive surgery practice we commonly see secondary cases such as: lower limb lymphoedema secondary to treated gynaecological cancers or upper limb lymphoedemas secondary to breast cancer treatment. These cases varying from mild to severe, many of them benefit from lymphoedema surgery. Relatively new, microsurgical techniques are becoming the backbone of surgical lymphoedema treatment. © Springer-Verlag London 2015.