Our Procedures
Dedicated Lymphedema Treatment Program Now Offered
Drs. Scott Sullivan, FACS and Frank DellaCroce, FACS, principal surgeons at St. Charles Surgical Hospital and co-founders of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery, have created the first dedicated and comprehensive lymphedema treatment program program of its kind in association with Marga F. Massey, MD, FACS. The revolutionary Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer (VLNTx) procedure for lymphedema can be performed at SCSH when combined with any breast reconstruction surgery or as follow-up treatment to a previous surgery. “This newest program allows us to offer the most comprehensive breast reconstructive procedures available,” states Dr. Sullivan. “It is our vision, as the only hospital in the world dedicated to breast reconstructive surgery, to provide our patients this type of cutting-edge technology within a compassionate, patient-centered environment.”
Lymphedema is a debilitating condition of localized fluid retention caused by a compromised lymphatic system. It is most frequently seen after breast cancer treatments such as lymph node dissection, surgery and/or radiation therapy, which can damage the lymphatic system of the arm. The National Cancer Institute has established that 25% to 30% of breast cancer surgery patients with lymph node removal and radiation therapy develop lymphedema. Chronic swelling, discomfort, and skin infections are among the symptoms that may be improved with proper therapy and in some cases, microsurgical repair. With over 2 million breast cancer survivors in the US, that equates to over 500,000 women with post mastectomy lymphedema. 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. She will collaborate with Drs. DellaCroce and Sullivan to offer her expertise to SCSH patients, as well as her own patients who will travel to New Orleans for the specialized services of Dr. Sullivan and Dr. DellaCroce. “Dr. Massey is a highly sought-after surgeon who shares our commitment and passion for making women whole again following a breast cancer diagnosis,” asserts Dr. DellaCroce. “We welcome her to our facility as an integral part of our dedicated and groundbreaking lymphedema team.”
Dr. Massey is a leading breast reconstruction surgeon and is a double-board certified Plastic/Reconstructive and General Surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery was established to serve as a dedicated resource for women seeking the most advanced methods of breast reconstruction utilizing the body's own tissue. Founded by Frank J. DellaCroce, M.D., FACS and Scott K. Sullivan, M.D., FACS, the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery specializes exclusively in state-of-the-art breast surgery techniques (DIEP, SIEA and GAP flap procedures) that allow for breast reconstruction without sacrifice of important functional muscles.
