Effect of the Axillary Lymphatic /Vein Reflux Ratio on Postoperative Upper Limb Edema and Dysfunction in Breast Cancer (PLEDGE-R)

September 4, 2026 updated by: Xiangyun Zong

Postoperative Upper Limb Edema and Dysfunction Generated by Axillary Nodes Excision Differs Due to the Ratio of Axillary Lymphatic and Axillary Vein Reflux in Breast Cancer Patients: a Prospective Cohort Study

The purpose of this study is to compare the difference in the incidence of upper limb edema and dysfunction between the Preponderant lymphatic reflux group (high ratio of axillary lymphatic reflux to axillary vein reflux) and the Preponderant venous reflux group (low ratio of axillary lymphatic reflux to axillary vein reflux).

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
258

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: XIANGYUN ZONG, MD, PhD

Study Locations

  • China
      • Shanghai, China, 201499
        • Shanghai Fengxian Central Hospital
    • Shanghai Municipality
      • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China, 200233
        • Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
    • Zhejiang
      • Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310022
        • Zhejiang Cancer Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients recruited in the PLEDGE study （NCT05120180）

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18-69 years old,
  • Regardless of gender,
  • Breast masses were diagnosed by histology and pathology, stage II -III.
  • Clinical palpation of axillary lymph nodes is positive, or
  • Axillary lymph node puncture pathology is positive, or
  • The multidisciplinary treatment cooperation group (MDT) recommends axillary lymph node dissection,
  • Good physical state score (0-1),
  • No severe organ complications,
  • No congenital or acquired diseases affecting the normal morphology and functional activities of the upper limbs,
  • Informed consent, understanding and compliance with research requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy or lactation,
  • Inflammatory breast cancer,
  • Clinical findings of metastatic lesions,
  • Sentinel lymph node biopsy was negative,
  • History of upper limb or shoulder, chest, back trauma or surgery,
  • Previous history of local radiotherapy,
  • History of other tumors,
  • Vascular embolic disease,
  • Those who are unable to comply with the clinical trial requirements for any reason.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Preponderant lymphatic reflux group
high ratio of axillary lymphatic reflux to axillary vein reflux
Procedure: Branches Sparing
The patients will undergo axillary lymph node dissection with preserved axillary vein branches
Procedure: None Branches Sparing
The patients will undergo axillary lymph node dissection without preserved axillary vein branches
Preponderant venous reflux group
low ratio of axillary lymphatic reflux to axillary vein reflux
Procedure: Branches Sparing
The patients will undergo axillary lymph node dissection with preserved axillary vein branches
Procedure: None Branches Sparing
The patients will undergo axillary lymph node dissection without preserved axillary vein branches

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
short-term Incidence of lymphedema
Time Frame: 1-, 6-, and 12-month
Incidence of upper limb lymphedema on affected side at 1-, 6-, and 12-month after operation
1-, 6-, and 12-month
short-term Incidence of dysfunction
Time Frame: 1-, 6-, and 12-month
Incidence of upper limb dysfunction on affected side at 1-, 6-, and 12-month after operation
1-, 6-, and 12-month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
long-term Incidence of lymphedema
Time Frame: 5 years
Incidence of upper limb lymphedema on affected side 5 years after operation
5 years
long-term Incidence of dysfunction
Time Frame: 5 years
Incidence of upper limb dysfunction on affected side 5 years after operation
5 years

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Risk model
Time Frame: 5 years
To establish a risk model of upper limb edema and dysfunction after axillary dissection for breast cancer
5 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Xiangyun Zong

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: XIANGYUN ZONG, MD, PhD, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 1, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 1, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 9, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 9, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 18, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 4, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • JTU-6H-20211230001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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