Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR), performed concurrently with nodal dissection, has shown promise in reducing the rates of lymphedema in patients with various types of cancers. Herein, we detail the case of a 42-year-old patient who underwent nodal dissection in the management of their melanoma. This patient underwent ILR at the time of lymph node dissection of the right axilla and was followed for 24 months. Circumferential measurements of both the operative and non-operative limbs, as well as lymphedema-specific quality of life questionnaire (LYMQOL) data, were collected at each appointment. Our patient developed lymphedema transiently at 3 months which had resolved by the 6-month follow-up and maintained favorable measures of quality of life over the course of 2 years. This novel approach has yet to be implemented as a standard of care in Canada. Such an outcome would be overwhelmingly positive for our cancer population, and on our health-care system overall.

No abstract