Markkula SP, Leung N, Allen VB, Furniss D. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 2

Main findings

• Performing lymphaticovenular anastomosis as part of a preventive management protocol early during breast cancer treatment appears to reduce the risk of lymphoedema development in the arm on the affected side (based on the results of two studies). However, these two prevention studies did not report on important secondary outcomes.
• Vascularised lymph node transfer used in the treatment of established breast cancer-related lymphoedema may reduce limb volume, pain scores, heaviness sensation, and infections per year and improve overall function (based on one study). Important secondary outcomes such as long-term complications and the ability to discontinue further interventions for treating lymphoedema were not collected in the study.