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Lymph Clinic

Lymph Clinic

U bent hier: Home / Lymph Clinic / Expertise / Surgical treatments / Lymph node transplantation

Lymph node transplantation to treat lymphoedema

Those whose lymphatic vessels have ceased to function at all (stage 2) or those who have already undergone lymph node clearance as part of cancer treatment may be considered for lymph node transplantation.

This surgery is often indicated if an LVA shunt is no longer possible, but can also be performed earlier or in combination with an LVA in certain cases. Everything depends on the stage of lymphoedema, medical history, and the results of imaging studies.

Course of surgery

In lymph node transplantation, a package of healthy lymph nodes is moved from the groin or other place in the body (chest, neck, abdomen, etc.) to the area where the lymph nodes have been removed.

As with LVA, some imaging studies are required before this surgery to determine which lymph nodes can be taken and where they can be transplanted to.

This surgery has two effects:

  • On the one hand, the new lymph nodes act as a pump to absorb the lymph fluid and drain it through the blood circulation.
  • On the other hand, the new lymph nodes release specific molecules that cause new lymph channels to be formed.

Use of robotic surgery

Robotic surgery can also be used for this surgical treatment of lymphoedema at the UZ Brussel. In specific indications, lymph nodes can be taken from the abdomen through robot-assisted surgery. In this way, the lymph nodes of the groin are spared, as the groin is often the first choice as a donor region.

The benefits for the patient are:

  • The risk of the procedure is reduced
  • Large incisions are avoided so postoperative pain is also reduced
  • A faster recovery

Duration of surgery and hospitalisation

A lymph node transplant takes 5-6 hours on average. The patient usually stays in hospital 4 to 5 days.

Aftercare

Recovery after a lymph node transplant takes 4 to 6 weeks. Wound care is also needed after surgery.

Physical activity should be avoided for several weeks. Manual lymph drainage is temporarily discontinued. Specific instructions are always provided depending on the type of lymph node transplantation.

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