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Lymph Node DiseaseNCT03073096

LYMPHA: Eliminating the Burden of Lymphedema in Patients Requiring Nodal Dissection

A study testing LVA at time of nodal dissection in people with Lymph Node Disease, run by Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at 1 site in Canada.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

Lymphedema is the build-up of lymph fluid in the body's tissue causing chronic, debilitating swelling. This commonly occurs as a result of a disruption of the lymphatic system during lymph node dissection surgeries. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Lymph Node Disease
What is being tested?
LVA at time of nodal dissection
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
8 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
1 Jun 2017to 3 Jun 2020
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Histologically confirmed primary melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma or merkel cell carcinoma of the trunk or chest.
  • Node-positive cancer requiring an axillary or groin lymphadenectomy

Who cannot join

  • Patients receiving a sentinel lymph node biopsy alone
  • Patients with a cancer on the upper or lower extremities are excluded (i.e. arms or legs).
  • Patients with established preoperative lymphedema
  • Patients with post-thrombotic syndrome, peripheral vascular disease
  • Pregnant patients

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Canada1 site
  • The Ottawa Hospital

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1H8L6

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: Performing a Lymphatic-venous Anastomosis at Time of Nodal Dissection in Patients Requiring Complete Axillary or Groin Dissection for the Prevention of Lymphedema

Lymphedema is the build-up of lymph fluid in the body's tissue causing chronic, debilitating swelling. This commonly occurs as a result of a disruption of the lymphatic system during lymph node dissection surgeries. In melanoma patients, the incidence of lymphedema ranges from 5-10% in the arms following an axillary dissection, and 28-40% in the legs following groin dissection. LYMPHA (LYmphatic Microsurgical Preventive Healing Approach) is an innovative microsurgical technique where blocked lymphatic vessels are drained into the blood circulation by surgically creating a shunt between a lymphatic channel and a blood vessel called a lymphatic-venous bypass. Recently, LYMPHA has been shown to prevent lymphedema when performed at the time of nodal dissection. We propose a prospective pilot study evaluating the practice of the LYMPHA technique for the primary prevention lymphedema at The Ottawa Hospital. The novel use of the LYMPHA technique holds the potential to prevent lymphedema rather than to attempt to treat it once it has already progressed and as a result will not only improve the quality of life of the cancer patients, but also decrease health care costs associated with treating lymphedema.

Read the detailed description

Consenting patients will have the LYMPHA procedure at the time of planned axillary or groin dissection surgery for the prevention of upper and lower extremity lymphedema, respectively. The node dissection will be performed by Dr. Nessim, while the LYMPHA technique will be performed by the plastic surgeon, Dr. Momtazi, trained in microsurgical technique. The LYMPHA procedure consists of performing lymphatic-venous anastomoses (LVA) at the time of the node dissection. Patent blue dye will be injected into the patient approximately 10 minutes before skin incision. This will allow mapping of the lymphatic channels for identification for bypass. The node dissection will then be performed with preservation of the saphenous vein in the leg and the anterior branch of the axillary vein in the axilla. Afferent lymphatic vessels will be sutured into the saphenous vein or a branch of the axillary vein distal to a competent valve, respectively. The total duration of the surgery is approximately 3 hours. The LYMPHA technique accounts for an additional 30 minutes to the standard 2-2.5 hours allocated to the node dissection.

Pre-surgery, patients will have baseline limb circumference measurements of both the surgery-affected and unaffected limbs (arms or legs). Patients will be followed up clinically at every 3 months up to a year, and then again at the end of the second year (at the 24 month-mark only). At each follow-up visit, patients will have a physical examination and their circumferential limb measurements will be taken with measuring tape at three specific intervals up the limb. For example, patients undergoing an axillary dissection will have the circumference of their wrist taken, and then again 4 cm proximal to the wrist, then 8 cm proximal to the wrist, and so forth. The method will be used for the legs but starting at the ankle. Volume will be calculated indirectly, using Dr. Brorson's truncated cone method (13). Patients will also fill out a limb lymphedema-specific quality of life questionnaire (LYMQOL) administered by the Clinical Research Coordinator pre- and post-surgery. Each patient will have a total of 2 years of participation time.

Pre-surgery, patients will have baseline limb circumference measurements of both the surgery-affected and unaffected limbs (arms or legs). Patients will be followed up clinically at every 3 months up to a year, and then again at the second year. At each follow-up visit, patients will have a physical examination and their circumferential limb measurements will be taken with measuring tape at three specific intervals up the limb. Patients will also fill out a limb lymphedema-specific quality of life questionnaire (LYMQOL) administered pre- and post-surgery.

  1. Primary Objective: To evaluate the success rate of performing the LYMPHA procedure. Success is defined as a completed LYMPHA procedure i.e. successful LVA.
  2. Secondary Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of follow-up assessments i. establish the ability to obtain pre- and post- limb measurements ii. obtain limb-specific quality of life information iii. design a protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing lymphedema rates in patients receiving a lymphadenectomy + lymphatic-venous bypass versus lymphadenectomy alone.
Being tested
LVA at time of nodal dissection
Keywords
axillary nodal dissection, groin nodal dissection

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • LVA at time of nodal dissectionProcedure or surgery

    Patients will receive a lymphatic-venous anastomosis at time of their required nodal dissection

Study groups in NCT03073096
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention armOtherLVA at time of nodal dissection
Receives: Procedure: LVA at time of nodal dissection

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Difference in limb volume between surgery-affected and surgery-unaffected limb at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months

    At each follow-up visit, patients will have a physical examination and their circumferential limb measurements will be taken with measuring tape at three specific intervals up the limb. For example, patients undergoing an axillary dissection will have the circumference of their wrist taken, and then again 4 cm proximal to the wrist, then 8 cm proximal to the wrist, and so forth. The method will be used for the legs but starting at the ankle. Volume will be calculated indirectly, using Dr. Brorson's truncated cone method.

    Measured: every 3 months up to a year, again at year 2

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Limb-lymphedema-specific Quality of life assessment at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months through the LYMQOL questionnaire

    Patients will fill out a limb lymphedema-specific quality of life questionnaire (LYMQOL). This includes the LYMQOL-arm or the LYMQOL-leg.

    Measured: every 3 months up to a year, again at year 2

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Mar 2017
  2. Study start1 Jun 2017
  3. Primary completion1 Jun 2019
  4. Study completion3 Jun 2020

Why it stopped: Not enough resources to continue the study especially with Covid-19

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
All melanoma and other skin cancers (merkel cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma as well as sarcoma patients requiring a nodal dissection (groin or axillary) will be offered to have a LVA at time of nodal dissection to prevent lymphedema.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
8 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03073096
Sponsor's protocol ID
20170146 form 6131
Status last verified
Apr 2021
First submitted
21 Feb 2017
Last updated
9 Apr 2021
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Feldman S, Bansil H, Ascherman J, Grant R, Borden B, Henderson P, Ojo A, Taback B, Chen M, Ananthakrishnan P, Vaz A, Balci F, Divgi CR, Leung D, Rohde C. Single Institution Experience with Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventive Healing Approach (LYMPHA) for the Primary Prevention of Lymphedema. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Oct;22(10):3296-301. doi: 10.1245/s10434-015-4721-y. Epub 2015 Jul 23.

    PubMed 26202566
  • Boccardo F, Valenzano M, Costantini S, Casabona F, Morotti M, Sala P, De Cian F, Molinari L, Spinaci S, Dessalvi S, Campisi CC, Villa G, Campisi C. LYMPHA Technique to Prevent Secondary Lower Limb Lymphedema. Ann Surg Oncol. 2016 Oct;23(11):3558-3563. doi: 10.1245/s10434-016-5282-4. Epub 2016 May 24.

    PubMed 27221358
  • Morotti M, Menada MV, Boccardo F, Ferrero S, Casabona F, Villa G, Campisi C, Papadia A. Lymphedema microsurgical preventive healing approach for primary prevention of lower limb lymphedema after inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy for vulvar cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2013 May;23(4):769-74. doi: 10.1097/IGC.0b013e318287a8e8.

    PubMed 23485932
  • Boccardo F, Casabona F, De Cian F, Friedman D, Murelli F, Puglisi M, Campisi CC, Molinari L, Spinaci S, Dessalvi S, Campisi C. Lymphatic microsurgical preventing healing approach (LYMPHA) for primary surgical prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema: over 4 years follow-up. Microsurgery. 2014 Sep;34(6):421-4. doi: 10.1002/micr.22254. Epub 2014 Mar 26.

    PubMed 24677148
  • Torrisi JS, Joseph WJ, Ghanta S, Cuzzone DA, Albano NJ, Savetsky IL, Gardenier JC, Skoracki R, Chang D, Mehrara BJ. Lymphaticovenous bypass decreases pathologic skin changes in upper extremity breast cancer-related lymphedema. Lymphat Res Biol. 2015 Mar;13(1):46-53. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2014.0022. Epub 2014 Dec 18.

    PubMed 25521197
  • Starritt EC, Joseph D, McKinnon JG, Lo SK, de Wilt JH, Thompson JF. Lymphedema after complete axillary node dissection for melanoma: assessment using a new, objective definition. Ann Surg. 2004 Nov;240(5):866-74. doi: 10.1097/01.sla.0000143271.32568.2b.

    PubMed 15492570
  • Mehrara BJ, Zampell JC, Suami H, Chang DW. Surgical management of lymphedema: past, present, and future. Lymphat Res Biol. 2011;9(3):159-67. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2011.0011.

    PubMed 22066746
  • Gomberawalla A, Feldman S. LYMPHA: New Innovation, Not Old Practice. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Sep 1;34(25):3108-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.67.8987. Epub 2016 Jun 13. No abstract available.

    PubMed 27298413
  • van Akkooi AC, Bouwhuis MG, van Geel AN, Hoedemaker R, Verhoef C, Grunhagen DJ, Schmitz PI, Eggermont AM, de Wilt JH. Morbidity and prognosis after therapeutic lymph node dissections for malignant melanoma. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2007 Feb;33(1):102-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2006.10.032. Epub 2006 Dec 11.

    PubMed 17161577
  • Brorson H, Hoijer P. Standardised measurements used to order compression garments can be used to calculate arm volumes to evaluate lymphoedema treatment. J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2012 Dec;46(6):410-5. doi: 10.3109/2000656X.2012.714785.

    PubMed 23157502
  • Boccardo FM, Casabona F, Friedman D, Puglisi M, De Cian F, Ansaldi F, Campisi C. Surgical prevention of arm lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. Ann Surg Oncol. 2011 Sep;18(9):2500-5. doi: 10.1245/s10434-011-1624-4. Epub 2011 Mar 3.

    PubMed 21369739

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing LVA at time of nodal dissection in people with Lymph Node Disease, run by Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Apr 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study was stopped early (reason given: Not enough resources to continue the study especially with Covid-19). Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Difference in limb volume between surgery-affected and surgery-unaffected limb at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months (time frame: every 3 months up to a year, again at year 2). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03073096, which also lists 11 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Apr 2021.

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