Lymph node transplantation in the management of post-mastectomy lymphedema: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze, through a systematic literature review with meta-analysis, the success rates of the use of autologous lymph node transplantation for the management of upper limb lymphedema in mastectomized patients, regarding the reduction of excessive volume in the affected limb. The most relevant studies originally published and indexed in any language until August 2019 were analyzed, in the US National Library of Medicine, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases. The sample consisted of 10 publications that met the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 194 patients with 50.0 years average age, being followed up for 31.7 months average. Most patients had the right upper limb affected by lymphedema (58.1%), with symptoms that started more than a year before lymph node transplant surgery (86.4%). Only four patients (2.6%) did not undergo lymphadenectomy during the treatment of breast cancer. Lymph node transplantation provided an average reduction of 52.18% in the excessive volume presented by patients in the limb due to lymphedema. Most of the patients surveyed had a volume reduction higher than 50%. It is concluded that autologous lymph node transplantation is a good option for the management of lymphedema related to breast cancer, providing a considerable reduction in the excessive volume of the affected limb.

Keywords

• mastectomy
• autologous transplantation
• lymph nodes
• lymphedema related to breast cancer
• meta-analysis