Efficacy of Microsurgical Venous Couplers in Lymphovenous Anastomosis of the Thoracic Duct: An Examination of Outcomes and Patency at Follow-Up

Introduction: Central lymphatic disruption can result in devastating lymphedema, chylothorax, chylous ascites, metabolic deficiencies, and death. Literature from our institution has previously demonstrated the technical feasibility of lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) for thoracic duct (TD) bypass. Here we present our complete patient series with expanded follow-up utilizing a microsurgical venous coupler to facilitate LVA. Methods: A single-institution, retrospective review was conducted for adult patients who underwent LVA for TD bypass between 2019-2024. Demographic, etiological, and peri-operative information was collected. Symptomatic resolution with or without radiographically confirmed patency was considered a successful bypass at follow-up. Results: A total of 23 patients underwent LVA of the TD. Mean age was 49.7 years. Median post-operative follow-up was 395 days (IQR: 150.5-554.5). Anastomotic targets included the EJV (n=15), IJV (n=4), AJV (n=2), or another regional vein (n=3). Technical success of the venous coupler was 100%. Three patients experienced a surgical site complication (13.0%). At follow-up, 13 patients (56.5%) had a patent TD anastomosis with symptomatic resolution. One patient (4.3%) had a patent anastomosis confirmed on imaging but experienced mild symptomatic recrudescence. The remaining patients (39.1%) had non-patent anastomoses. Median venous coupler size was 3.0 mm for both the patent cohort and non-patent cohort. Conclusion: LVA for TD bypass with an anastomotic coupler is well tolerated and provided durable relief of symptoms in over half of our cohort. This data supports venous coupler utilization in LVA for thoracic duct occlusion. Patient accrual is ongoing to further evaluate and optimize outcomes.

Publication History

Received: 03 January 2025

Accepted after revision: 17 April 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
29 April 2025