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Objective: Cancer-related lymphedema represents a potential complication of cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of lymphatico-venular anastomosis and liposuction in the treatment of secondary lymphedema. Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of patients affected by cancer-related unilateral limb lymphedema. Inclusion criteria included previous neoplastic pathology with the consequent development of unilateral limb lymphedema, while the exclusion criteria included the presence of comorbidities and the persistence of cancer, as well as previous lymphatic surgery. The outcomes to be included were a reduction in the limb volume and lymphangitis rate, and an improvement in the quality of life. Patients' data were assessed before surgery and 1 year after surgery. Perioperative management included clinical and ultrasonographical evaluations. Under local anesthesia, lymphatico-venular anastomosis with the supramicrosurgical technique and the liposuction of the affected limb was performed in the same surgical session. Results: A total of 24 patients were enrolled in the study. One year after the surgery, an average volume reduction of 37.9% was registered ( p = 0.0000000596). The lymphangitis rate decreased after surgery from 4.67 to 0.95 per year ( p = 0.000007899). The quality-of-life score improved from 68.7 to 16 according to the LLIS scale. Conclusions: The combination of LVA and liposuction represents a valid strategy for treating cancer-related lymphedema, ensuring stable results over time. In addition, it can be performed under local anesthesia, resulting in being minimally invasive and well-tolerated by patients. This paper reports on the short-term efficacy of this combined technique.

Objective: Ectopic implantation was first reported by Godina in 1986. We herein present 2 cases in which amputated fingers were salvaged and reconstructed by means of temporary ectopic implantation utilizing perforator anastomoses and chimeric flaps., Methods: Case 1. A 30-year-old man injured his right hand. All of the fingers were completely crushed with the exception of the little finger. We performed an ectopic implantation by using the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator. Three months later, the little finger was transplanted with the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap, vascularized nerve, and the 2nd metacarpal bone. Case 2. A 29-year-old man suffered a degloving injury of the index finger. The digital artery was anastomosed to deep inferior epigastric artery perforator. One month later, a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap containing the ectopically transplanted index finger was transplanted, but the index fingertip became pale and necrotized. After debridement, a hemipulp transplantation was performed., Results/conclusions: As the diameter of perforators is similar to that of digital arteries, and perforators are capable of supplying large areas of tissue, they can be used as recipient vessels for ectopic implantation in finger salvage procedures. Another advantage of perforators as feeding vessels in ectopic implantation is the possibility of forming an ectopic chimera; the finger can be incorporated as a part of the chimeric reconstructive flap. With respect to these advantages, the perforator can be used as a feeder in an ectopic implantation of single finger.