Surgical Treatment for Lymphedema: Supermicrosurgical Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis

Abstract

A total of 27 patients with upper arm lymphedema was treated. Among them, 12 patients were treated with compression therapy. The average period for compression therapy was 10.6 months and the average decreased circumference of the forearm was 0.8cm. 18 patients were treated with lymphaticovenous anastomosis under general anesthesia as well as pre and postoperative compression therapy. The average period of follow up was 2.6 years and the average decreased circumference of the forearm was 4.5cm.

A total of 35 patients with lower leg edema were treated. 12 patients were treated with compression therapy and the average period for treatment was 1.5 months. The average decreased circumference of the lower leg was 0.6cm. 16 patients were treated with lymphaticovenous anastomosis under general anesthesia as well as pre and postoperative compression therapy. The averagefoloow up period after surgery was 3.3 years and the average of decreased circumference was 2.7cm. The patients decresed over 4cm were 50% of all patients. Meanwhile, 33 patients were recently operated under local anesthesia. As the results, 82% showed improvement. There was no correlations between the etiology, the severity, and the duration of edema, and the number of anastomosis in each patient.