[Lymphovenous anastomoses in the prevention of post-mastectomy edema of the arm].

Analysis of the clinical and experimental data has prompted the authors to try surgical correction of an impaired lymph drainage in the arm after radical mastectomy by effecting lymphovenous anastomoses. These anastomoses are intended to eliminate lymphostasis, the principal reason of a postmastectomy edema, by draining the lymph, outflowing from the arm, to the vein. The optimal sites for the formation of a lymphovenous anastomosis have been found the cubital fossa and the anterointernal surface of the lower third of the shoulder. The formation of such an anastomosis simultaneously with radical mastectomy eliminates operation lymphorrhea of the wound already by days 4-5 postoperation, this facilitating the wound healing. Such an approach to radical mastectomy technique may completely prevent the development and progress of a postmastectomy edema of the arm.