Topic: Current Concepts and Innovations in Lymphatic Surgery

Over the last decades, microsurgical procedures such as lympho-venous anastomoses, vascularized lymphatic tissue transfer combined with fibrotic tissue reduction by liposuction have significantly improved lymphedema treatment offering a better quality of life and sometimes even cure to patients. Plastic surgeons all over the world now provide this specialized surgery leading to further development in diagnostics, imaging, microsurgical techniques and technology. As a consequence, indications have been extended and lymphatic surgery by now is applied to prevent the development of lymphedema after tumor surgery, treat lymphocele, or address lesions and anomalies of the central lymphatic system. Diagnostics have been refined by the application of high-frequency ultrasound or multispectral optoacoustic tomography. Robotic microsurgery has arrived in the clinic and further innovative treatment strategies are to be expected.

This Special Issue is aimed at defining current concepts and highlighting recent innovations in lymphatic surgery.

30 Jan 2023