Creation of a rat lymphedema model using extensive lymph node dissection and circumferential soft tissue resection: Is this a reliable model?

INTRODUCTION The medical demand for lymphedema treatment is huge since the disease mechanism remains unclear, and management are difficult. Our purpose was to develop a reliable lymphedema model mimicking the clinical scenario and allows a microsurgical approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male Lewis rats weighing 400 to 450 g were used to create lymphedema with groin and popliteal lymph node dissection and creation of 5 mm circumferential skin defect (n = 6). A skin incision was made and closed primarily for control group (n = 5). Evaluation included indocyanine green (ICG) lymphangiography 1 and 2 months postoperatively, volume difference between bilateral hindlimbs measured using micro-CT, and the skin was harvested for histological evaluation 2 months postoperatively. RESULTS Larger volume differences present in the lymphedema group (17.50 ± 7.76 vs. 3.73 ± 2.66%, p