An Integrated Algorithm for Surgical Intervention in Chronic Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Treatment: The Basel Lymphedema Protocol
The primary objective of the investigators is to develop an integrated algorithm for surgical treatment of chronic lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. This will be achieved by retrospectively analysing a subgroup of patients who had breast cancer-related surgery prior to lymphedema.
• status post breast cancer or status post another type of cancer or status post no cancer
• chronic lymphedema - lymphedema lasting over three months - present prior to surgical treatment
• one type of surgical procedure for treatment of chronic lymphedema or a combination of surgical procedures for treatment of chronic lymphedema was performed
• one or any combination of the following surgical procedures was used in each individual patient: Lymph Node-Vein Anastomosis (LNVA) , Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis (LVA), Tumescent Liposuction (TL), Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer (VLNT) and/or Water-Assisted Liposuction (WAL)