In the News
Groundbreaking surgical treatment for lymphedema.
By Brenda Breck
At the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and the St. Charles Surgical Hospital in New Orleans, patients now have access to the cutting-edge vascularized lymph node transfer procedure for lymphedema treatment.
In the VLNTx surgical procedure, lymph nodes and their associated fat, arteries and veins are removed from a low-risk location of the body and transplanted to the affected limb. The VLNTx procedure can be performed at SCSH when combined with any breast reconstruction surgery or as follow-up treatment to a previous surgery. Post-operative care includes surveillance by a qualified physiotherapist with additional training in manual lymphatic drainage and staged compression garment withdrawal.
Dr. Scott Sullivan and Dr. Frank DellaCroce, principal surgeons of SCSH and co-founders of the center, have joined with Dr. Marga F. Massey to create a dedicated and comprehensive lymphedema treatment program, complete with trained specialists, therapists and advanced techniques. As a nationally recognized leader of the groundbreaking VLNTx technique, Dr. Massey is world renowned for her expertise and dedication to women’s health issues.
“This newest program allow us to offer the most comprehensive breast reconstruction procedures available,” states Dr. Sullivan. “It is our vision, as the only hospital dedicated to breast reconstructive surgery in the world, to provide our patients this type of cutting-edge technology within a compassionate, patient-centered environment.”
Because of its unique resources and capabilities, SCSH is the United States’ Collaborative Research Center applicant for the World Health Organization’s study of lymphedema.
