2A and 2B). When lymphatic vessels were not enhanced

by microscopic ICG lymphography, lymphatic vessels were dissected as a conventional method without intraoperative ICG lymphography guidance.[3, 4] Lymphatic vessels were anastomosed to appropriate venules in an end-to-end fashion using 11-0 or 12-0 nylon sutures.[3, 4, 12-14] Patency of the anastomosis can be confirmed by lymph fluid washout into the venule (Fig. 2C and 2D; See Video, Supporting Information Digital Content 1, which shows intraoperative microscopic ICG lymphography-guided LVA). A week after the LVA surgery, patients resumed the same compression therapy as preoperatively performed to make lymphatic pressure higher than venous pressure. Intraoperative findings and treatment efficacy were compared between LVA with and without Selleckchem BVD-523 intraoperative microscopic ICG lymphography. Edematous volume was evaluated preoperatively and 6 months after the operations using LEL index.[15] A summation of squares of circumferences C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 (cm) divided by BMI is defined as the LEL index. C1 denotes circumference at 10 cm above the superior border of the patella, C2 circumference at the superior border of the patella, C3 circumference at 10 cm below the superior border of the patella, C4 circumference at the lateral malleolus, and C5 circumference

at the dorsum selleck chemical of the foot. Student’s t-test and Mann Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. A statistical significance was defined as P-value < 0.05. Forty LVAs were performed on 12 lymphedematous limbs by one surgeon (T.Y.): 24 LVAs with intraoperative microscopic ICG lymphography-guidance on 7 limbs, and 16 LVAs without the guidance on 5 limbs (Tables 1 and 2). Lymphatic vessels were enhanced by intraoperative (-)-p-Bromotetramisole Oxalate microscopic ICG lymphography in 11 of 12 skin incision sites. In 1 of 12 skin incision, lymphatic vessels could not be enhanced even after additional ICG

injection. The nonenhanced site was shown diffuse pattern on preoperative ICG lymphography. All anastomoses, regardless of ICG-enhancement of lymphatic vessels, showed good anastomosis patency after completion of anastomoses. Time required for detection and dissection of lymphatic vessels in cases with intraoperative microscopic ICG lymphography-guidance was significantly shorter than that in cases without the guidance (2.3 ± 1.7 min vs. 6.5 ± 4.0 min, P = 0.010). Postoperative LEL index decreased significantly compared with preoperative LEL index (254.9 ± 35.8 vs. 238.0 ± 32.5, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in LEL index reduction between cases with and without intraoperative microscopic ICG lymphography guidance (18.3 ± 5.5 vs. 15.0 ± 5.5, P = 0.337). A representative case is shown in Figure 3. Secondary lymphedema is caused by obstruction and subsequent congestion of lymph flows.