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Prospective Assessments Following Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

potential candidates for ILR based on possible nodal involvement assessed preoperatively.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who are not eligible for ILR based on possible nodal involvement assessed preoperatively.

About the study

Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) is a novel surgical approach performed at the time of initial lymph node dissection with the goal of preventing lymphedema.(Chang et al. 2020) It involves the identification of lymphatic channels that are transected after lymph node dissection and microsurgical anastomosis of one or more lymphatic channel with a local recipient vein to re-direct upper extremity lymphatic drainage. Although ILR carries significant promise in prevention of lymphedema, there is a lack of high-level evidence supporting its efficacy because it is a novel surgical technique that is only offered at a few centers and not routinely covered by insurance carriers yet. The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is one of the busiest microsurgery centers performing this procedure, and, as a Lymphedema Center of Excellence, is in a unique position to investigate the efficacy of ILR in preventing lymphedema. In addition, the University has access to a world class microbiome research facility and colleagues. To our knowledge, there is no information on the skin microbiome of the axilla in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer or those at risk for developing lymphedema. Further exploratory studies such as this in a diverse patient population may lead to practice changing research in our approach to lymphedema management and prevention.

What is being tested

• patients who are candidates for immediate lymphatic reconstruction (other)

Sponsor: University of Chicago · Participants: 100 · Started: Dec 1, 2025

Contact the study team

• Summer Hanson, MD, PhD, FACS · Phone: (773) 702-6302

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07227467

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.