Lymphedema Prevention Surgery Shows Promise

Surgery may be a way to reduce the risk for lymphedema, a chronic and potentially devastating condition that approximately 40% of breast cancer patients at highest risk for it will develop. The surgery does initially increase operating time, but this decreases as surgeons gain experience, according to new research.

At Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, lymphedema prevention surgery (LPS), defined as immediate lymphatic reconstruction at the time of axillary dissection, consists of several components performed by either the breast surgeon or reconstructive surgeon.