Lymphedema is the swelling of a limb due to the absence or dysfunction of the lymph nodes or lymphatic vessels, and it can be primary (congenital) or secondary. More often lymphedema can occur secondarily, several months or even years after an operation with axillary or inguinal lymph node resection and sometimes additional radiotherapy.

Traditionally lymphoedema was managed conservatively with physiotherapy and bandaging for life long. New promising treatments such as lymphatic system microsurgery have led to a new era in the cure of the lymphatic diseases.

Lymph node transfer (LNT) can also be seen as Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer (VLNT) or Autologous Lymph Node Transfer (ALNT) is the transplantation of 2-3 lymph nodes from a healthy part of the body to the limb which suffers from lymphedema. Immediate, there is a connection between the lymphatic vessels of the affected limb and the healthy part of the body and the lymphedema start to be subsided.

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The idea of lymph node transplantation is to transfer 2-3 lymph nodes from a healthy part of the body to the limb which suffers from lymphedema. Then a phenomenon of “lymphangiogenesis” occurs; which means creation of lymphatic tissue and lymphatic circulation.

Both primary and secondary lymphedema patients can be treated with LNT.

Most patients who experience lymphedema following cancer treatment are potential candidates for lymph node transfer. Both mild and severe or advanced cases have been successfully cured with lymph node transfer. Performing LNT in an early stage of lymphedema will lead to permanent cure of the disease and the limb can return to normal. However, in advanced lymphedema cases or in elephantiasis, the fluid is eventually replaced by fatty tissue which an additional liposuction can be performed.