fig2

Figure 2. Mechanism of the superior-edge-of-the-knee incision method. The superior-edge-of-the-knee incision method is based on the patient’s knee joint movement in normal walking. Soft tissues around the incision point are gently compressed mainly by the gracilis muscle pumping during knee flexion and released during knee extension. Lymphatic fluid is ejected during knee flexion (systolic phase) and then reloaded during knee extension (diastolic phase). Continuous flow of lymph at the anastomosis decreases the risk of LVA occlusion of mid- or late-postoperative course. This figure source is from Ref.^[21] with permission for reuse. LVA: Lymphaticovenular anastomosis.