Major Changes in Lymphatic Microsurgery and Microvascular Surgery in Past 20 Years

Abstract

This article summarizes the major changes seen in lymphatic microsurgery and microvascular surgery in first 20 years of the 21st century. Lymphatic microsurgery is discussed first, as more advances have been seen in imaging of the lymphatic system, lymphatico-venous anastomosis, and vascularized lymph node transfers. During the past 2 decades, there have been more patient population changes than major technical evolutions in microvascular surgery, although new techniques and modifications emerged and became clinical routines, with the landscape of microvascular surgery evolving in this time period.

Keywords: Flap design; Keystone flap; Lymphatic surgery; Lymphatico-venous anastomosis; Microvascular surgery; Perforator flaps; Propeller flaps; Vascularized lymph node transfer.