Scar Lymphedema

Abstract

Few concepts are as fundamental to plastic surgery as scarring, yet swelling within a scar and its adjacent tissues is a common observation which is not well understood. Mechanical forces, scar contracture, fibrosis, and lymph stasis have been considered as possible explanations for these edematous-appearing areas, but conclusive evidence of a cause of swelling has not been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible role of microlymphatic stasis or disruption as a causal factor. Eleven patients (mean age: 43; range: 15 to 70) with localized swelling in conjunction with linear or curvilinear scars were evaluated, 9 with facial scars and 2 with scars of the chest wall and abdomen. Swelling within the scar had been present for an average of 4.5 years (range: 9 months to 13 years). Two patients had undergone previous Z-plasty revisions to the limbs of their curvilinear scars. Radiocolloid lymphoscintigraphy with technetium-99m Sb2S3 was performed on all patients by single or multiple injection technique into the site of the scar corresponding to local edema. Following injection, rapid egress of radiotracer was visualized along lymphatic pathways posterior to the scar, with continuation to locoregional nodes in all patients with U-shaped "trapdoor" or linear scar configuration. However, in 8 cases there was no evidence of lymphatic drainage traversing or bridging the scar. In 2 patients with multiple prior Z-plasty revisions to the limbs of curvilinear scars, no visualization of lymph channels across the Z-plasty flaps was apparent. In total, 8 patients were diagnosed with lymphedema of the area adjacent to or enclosed within the scar. These findings suggest that undrained lymphatic fluid contributes to the pathogenesis of the raised and swollen tissues seen abutting a U-shaped scar. Furthermore, as lymphatic pathways do not reestablish themselves across scars, attempts at improving lymphatic flow with Z-plasty revisions may not succeed in patients with clinical trapdoor scar deformities. Determination of scar lymphedema can assist in the selection of proper management for patients seeking scar revision.