As part of the Center for Breast Cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center, our team of plastic and reconstructive surgeons have extensive experience in treating and preventing lymphedema, a chronic condition that occurs when lymph fluid builds up in tissues, causing swelling in various parts of the body, particularly following treatment for breast cancer.
Our team of experts work to identify patients at risk of lymphedema before surgery to help reduce their risk, and for patients who do develop lymphedema, we work with a group of lymphatic therapists and provide many treatment strategies.
Some highlights include:
• Immediate lymphatic reconstruction: performed at the time of lymph node dissection for the prevention of lymphedema
• Lymphovenous anastomosis: a microsurgical technique to connect lymphatic vessels to veins for a bypass surgery
• Vascularized lymph node transplantation: connecting autologous lymph nodes in the affected area to allow for drainage
• Symani Surgical System: New England’s first and only microsurgical robot to help perform lymphatic and super microsurgery with extreme accuracy and precision to help reduce vessel trauma and improve quality of life
• Access to imaging modalities: lymphatic mapping (ICG lymphangiography) and MR lymphangiography are used to map lymphatic vessels to identify and assess function
• Multidisciplinary appointments made quickly: patients can meet their entire care team within a week of initial contact
Location and Appointments:
Smilow Cancer Hospital
35 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203-785-2571
Our Team
Kamal Addagatla, MD