Advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have significantly improved the survival rates of breast cancer patients. However, an increasing number of women are suffering from the long-term consequences of breast cancer treatment, which has brought the quality of life of those who have recovered increasingly into the focus of research interest. Chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) causes swelling and also increases the risk of infection. Affected women suffer from pain and feelings of heaviness and numbness in the arm, as well as psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety.

Background
Currently, Complex Physical Decongestion Therapy (CDT) is considered the gold standard of BCRL treatment. However, this is purely symptomatic and often does not achieve the desired effect. Therefore, two new surgical interventions are increasingly used to optimize lymphatic drainage: lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transplantation (VLNT). Both procedures have been reported to have a positive impact on patients' quality of life. However, to date, there is no sound scientific evidence for the superiority of these surgical techniques. Thus, applications for reimbursement from health insurance companies are often rejected, which delays surgical treatment and leads to a longer period of suffering for the affected patients. This is despite the fact that the affected women are often subjected to severe physical, psychological and financial stress.