|
Klimberg Procedure Prevents Arm Swelling in Breast Cancer Patients A surgeon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has developed a new procedure to prevent one of the most common side effects associated with breast cancer treatment – lymphedema or swelling of the arms due to faulty drainage of the lymph nodes. V. Suzanne Klimberg, M.D., director of the UAMS breast cancer program, led a study funded by the Tenenbaum Breast Cancer Research Foundation of breast cancer patients at risk for developing lymphedema. Her findings were published in the February issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology, and she will present the study March 17 at the Society of Surgical Oncology 60th Annual Cancer Symposium in Washington, D.C. “The removal and analysis of the lymph nodes under the arm remains the most important factor in determining the severity of disease in breast cancer patients,” Klimberg said. “In the past, surgery to remove the lymph nodes and most of the fat and tissue in the armpit often resulted in complications, including lymphedema.” Five percent to 50 percent of women undergoing surgical treatment for breast cancer have developed lymphedema, mainly dependent upon the extent of surgery. At the ACRC, surgeons determined that the draining of the first lymph node, known as the sentinel lymph node, is capable of predicting if the cancer has spread to the remaining armpit lymph nodes, known as axillary lymph nodes. This is a less invasive surgery and reduces the likelihood of complications. However, the lymph node system is at risk of disruption during either a sentinel lymph node biopsy or an axillary lymph node dissection, which often leads to swelling in the arm. |
|
UAMS’ Evans Performs State’s First Hip Resurfacing A new surgical technique, seen as an alternative to a total hip replacement for younger, more active patients, was performed for the first time in Arkansas on Wednesday by joint replacement specialist Richard Evans, M.D., at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The patient, Joannie Cayce of Thornton, is in good condition at UAMS Medical Center and continues to recover from the procedure, known as hip resurfacing. Rather than replacing the entire hip joint, hip resurfacing simply shaves a few millimeters of bone and places a metal cap and socket over the two joint surfaces. Evans, director of the UAMS Center for Hip and Knee Surgery, performed the surgery on Cayce, who is in her 40s. He said the procedure will most benefit patients age 60 or younger who lead a more active lifestyle. For those patients, there is a high chance that a total replacement will wear out during their lifetime, requiring another replacement operation, he said. “Hip resurfacing offers us an alternative to a total hip replacement, which is good for a younger patient with joint problems who will be able to delay a total hip replacement,” said Evans, also an associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the UAMS College of Medicine. “A total replacement usually lasts 15 to 20 years before another replacement surgery is often needed. With so much bone already removed in the first operation, joint function after the second operation is often not as good.” |
|
|
|
UAMS Home Page – UAMS News – UAMS News Releases - Sign Up for E-mail Newsletter - Newsletter Archives