Combined Approach to Surgical Treatment of Lymphedema.

Abstract

Physiologic surgical interventions, including lymphovenous bypass (LVB) and vascularized lymph node transplant (VLNT), are increasingly being used to treat lymphedema. LVB has been shown to be effective in improving the severity of lymphedema, particularly for patients with still-functional superficial lymphatic vessels that can be identified for bypass. However, in many patients, there is a paucity of functional lymphatic vessels for bypass and, thus, they are not ideal candidates for LVB alone. Unlike LVB, VLNT does not depend on the presence of functioning lymphatic vessels, but the effects of VLNT are delayed, as the proposed mechanisms of action require more time for optimal function. The author has offered a combined approach to microsurgical treatment of lymphedema for both the upper and lower extremities. Simultaneous VLNT and LVB are safe and effective for patients with both early and advanced stages of primary and secondary lymphedema. Our experience shows that a majority of patients can expect some long-term improvement, in both overall limb volume and quality of life, after surgical intervention with LVB and/or VLNT.