RT Book, Section A1 Campisi, Corradino C.C. A1 Boccardo, Francesco A1 Witte, Marlys H. A1 Bernas, Michael J. A2 Dieter, Robert S. A2 Dieter, Raymond A. A2 Dieter, Raymond A. SR Print(0) ID 1126492683 T1 Lymphatic Surgery and Surgery of Lymphatic Disorders T2 Venous and Lymphatic Diseases YR 2011 FD 2011 PB McGraw-Hill Medical PP New York, NY SN 9780071601580 LK accesscardiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1126492683 RD 2024/03/28 AB Whereas the mainstay of treatment of lymphedema and other lymphatic disorders has long been non-operative, there is, nonetheless, a century of history of attempts to simplify management and improve patient outcomes using a variety of surgical approaches. These have included efforts to remove unsightly tissue overgrowth and lymphatic tumor masses; promote lymph drainage through prelymphatic tissue channels, skin flaps, and omental transplants; and reroute obstructed lymph flow through direct lymphatic and lymph node shunts back into the venous system. Recent advances in microsurgery, refinements in noninvasive dynamic lymphatic system imaging, and improved approaches to resection have built upon this historic tradition and the contributions of pioneering surgical lymphologists to make lymphatic microsurgery and surgery of lymphatic disorders an increasingly important, safe, and practical option in these chronic vexing disfiguring, disabling, and at times, life-threatening congenital and acquired conditions. Moreover, future improvements in the scope and outcome of these procedures include minimally invasive and robotic approaches possibly coupled along with tissue engineering and stem cell and tissue transplantation. These improvements, and ultimately fetal restitution or reconstruction, to prevent or treat these lymphatic disorders will require both the intellect and skill of surgeons on research teams and in clinical multimodal management.