Evaluation and selection of lower limb lymphedema patients for lymphaticovenular anastomosis: A prospective study

Lower extremity lymphedema can be severely disabling and affect the patients ’ daily life with difficulties in range of motion, fitting into normal clothing, subjective discomfort, risk of soft tissue infection and can also cause psychological distress [1]. Complete decongestive physiotherapy has been the most common non-surgical management in reducing edema volumes, altho ugh it is not a curative treatment method [2]. Surgical treatment of lymphedema is an alternative and, except from debulking surgery, there are currently four main surgical methods described; vascularized lymph node transfer, lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA), lymphatico-lymphatic anastomosis and suction assisted lipectomy [3-6].
Source: Injury - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Source Type: research