Vascularized lymph node transfers (VLNT) surgery is part of Dr. Granzow’s FLOSM comprehensive lymphedema treatment system. Dr. Granzow pioneered the first comprehensive lymphedema treatment system which fully integrates lymphedema surgeries and lymphedema therapy, known as the Functional Lymphatic Operations (FLO)SM System. Dr. Granzow’s treatment system has been consistent and effective in treating lymphedema patients from all over the world.
What makes Dr. Granzow’s lymphedema treatment system unique is his focus on matching the type of lymphedema treatment and surgery to each patient’s condition to produce the maximum effectiveness. The fact is that no single procedure is effective for all cases of lymphedema.
VLNT can be extremely effective for the treatment of lymphedema of the arm or leg. The technique can either replace lymph nodes lost through surgery and/or radiation with healthy, functioning lymph nodes and tissues taken from elsewhere in the body or add lymph nodes to further improve lymphatic drainage.
Patient with lymphedema of the right leg following treatment for cancer. Prior to LVA surgery, she required about 60 hours of manual lymphatic drainage massage (MLD) per month and one or more layered 30-40mm Hg compression stockings. After surgery and healing, she requires to 2 or 3 hours of MLD per month and a single 20-30 mm mercury compression stocking. When she does have swelling the compression and therapy to reduce this is much more effective and brings the swelling down quite rapidly. She is able to exercise 30-35 minutes per session 3 times a week.
Several small incisions in the affected arm or leg are all that is required for surgical access for the procedure. The technique relies on the use of superfine microsurgery to connect the lymphatic channels directly to the nearby veins. The diameter of the lymphatic channels is tiny, on the order of 0.1 mm to 0.9 mm in diameter, with most lymphatic vessels used in the procedure ranging from 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm wide. In comparison, the lead from a standard mechanical pencil is several times as broad. Specialized techniques are employed in which surgeons use superfine surgical suture and a high-powered microscope.
LVA surgery, like lymph node transfer surgery, is effective in removing fluid from an extremity. A limb that has become larger and swollen due to the deposition of fat or fibrotic tissue is better treated with the Suction-Assisted Protein Lipectomy (SAPL) technique.
Dr. Granzow had adapted his surgical method for this procedure from Dr. Isao Koshima, one of the fathers of microsurgery. Dr. Koshima pioneered the techniques of superfine microsurgery and has applied his methods to improving the outcomes of lymphaticovenous anastomosis surgery. Dr. Granzow studied with Dr. Koshima in Japan and maintains close professional contact with him. Current results show much greater success rates than were reported previously by other surgeons who attempted to perform the LVA technique.
Patient with lymphedema of the right leg following treatment for cancer. Prior to LVA surgery, she required about 60 hours of manual lymphatic drainage massage (MLD) per month and one or more layered 30-40mm Hg compression stockings. After surgery and healing, she requires to 2 or 3 hours of MLD per month and a single 20-30 mm mercury compression stocking. When she does have swelling the compression and therapy to reduce this is much more effective and brings the swelling down quite rapidly. She is able to exercise 30-35 minutes per session 3 times a week.
For any kind of quarries or information's feel free to contact us
