Preoperative Indocyanine Green Lymphography and High-Frequency Ultrasound as Predictors of Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis Outcome in Post-Mastectomy Upper Limb Lymphedema

Post-mastectomy upper limb lymphedema is a chronic and progressive condition that significantly affects quality of life and upper limb function. Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) has emerged as an effective physiologic surgical treatment for selected patients with functioning lymphatic channels. However, predicting surgical success remains challenging.

Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography and high-frequency ultrasound are increasingly used for preoperative evaluation and surgical planning in lymphedema surgery. These imaging modalities allow visualization of lymphatic vessel patency, lymphatic flow patterns, vessel diameter, and recipient vein characteristics, potentially improving patient selection and operative outcomes.

This prospective interventional study aims to assess the role of preoperative ICG lymphography and high-frequency ultrasound as predictors of successful LVA outcomes in patients with post-mastectomy upper limb lymphedema.

Eligible patients diagnosed with secondary upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer treatment will undergo detailed clinical evaluation, limb measurements, ICG lymphography staging, and ultrasound vessel mapping before surgery. Patients will then undergo supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenous anastomosis.

Primary outcomes will include postoperative reduction in limb circumference and improvement in clinical symptoms. Secondary outcomes will include correlation between imaging findings and surgical success, postoperative complication rates, and patient-reported functional improvement.