Treatment of Long-Term Inguinal or Axillary Recurrent Lymphoceles with Pediculated Lymphnodes Flap

This article is studying a new technique for treatment of lymphocele based on the lymphnodes fatty flap.The lymphocele is a cystic lymphatic collection appearing after injury of lymphatic vessels or nodes following vascular surgery in the inguinal region or lymphadenectomy for carcinologic reasons. This article is reporting a new technique of surgical treatment based on a lymph node fatty flap. The MRI is mandatory. After resection of the lymphocele and identification of the leaking and damaged nodes and lymph vessels, the residual defect was filled by a vascularized fatty flap containing lymph nodes harvested from the region of the iliac crest, or thoracic region, thus allowing establishment of new connections between the damaged lymphatic vessels and those of the flap, owing to the lymphotrophic hormones (VEGF.c). This article is reporting 14 patients with such long-term recurrent lymphocele (3 years mean duration), who were treated by this flap and underwent complete resolution of the disease.After dissection of the collection and identification of the leaking and damaged nodes and vessels, the vascularized fatty flap containing lymphnodes (coming from the region of the iliac crest, or of the thoracic region) will fill the defect. New connections between the damaged lymphatic vessels with those of the flap will be established. In the literature, simple ligature, sclerotherapy, muscle or epiploon transfer, radiotherapy were very disappointing.This article is presenting 14 cases with long term existing of lymphocele (3 years average), treated by this inguinal flap, with complete resolution of the problem. Mean follow-up is 4 years (3-8 years).The technique is logic.