PRELUDE Study of Lymphatic Surgery to Treat Breast Cancer Related Lymphoedema

Exclusion Criteria

• •• Contraindications to the use of the contrast agent (iodine allergy / untreated hypothyroidism)
• •* Near infra-red spectroscopy providing insufficient data to guide surgery or evidence of LVA incompatibility (As these patients will be have only just developed lymphoedema, they are by definition very early in the spectrum of disease progression. Thus, the chances of all superficial lymphatics deteriorating to the extent that LVA surgery is not possible is extremely low - \<1% we expect).
• •* Inability to give informed consent or cooperate with assessment procedures and follow-up because of cognitive or physical impairments
• •* Medical co-morbidities increasing the risk of general anaesthetic (significant cardiac / respiratory disease)
• •* Recurrent, metastatic or progressive disease, defined by oncology team on basis of clinical assessment or imaging
• •* Evidence of pre-existing / primary lymphoedema on clinical history or lymphoscintigraphy