Supermicrosurgical Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis as Alternative Treatment Option for Moderate-to-Severe Lower Limb Lymphedema

Abstract

Supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) alleviates lymphedema by draining stagnant lymph from the lymphatic vessels into the venous system. Nevertheless, LVA is believed to be unsuitable for treating moderate-to-severe lymphedema presenting diffuse-pattern dermal backflow (DB). Dermal backflow is considered to be the sign of superficial lymphatic functional failure that renders LVA ineffective. Based on a current algorithm, a more invasive vascularized lymph node flap transfer is recommended instead of LVA. This retrospective study aimed to further investigate and possibly challenge this concept. One-hundred patients with unilateral lymphedematous lower limbs who underwent LVA were included. Patients were divided into Group I (10 patients with mild lymphedema) and Group II (90 patients with moderate-to-severe lymphedema). Demographic data and intraoperative findings were recorded. The post-LVA volume reductions by magnetic resonance volumetry were recorded and analyzed. Preoperatively, significant differences were found in BMI (20.6 vs 26.0 kg/m2, p= 0.004) and the volume gained in the lymphedematous limb (396.8 mL vs 1,056.8 mL, p= 0.005) between Groups I and II. Postoperatively, a significant median post-LVA volume reduction (-282.0 mL vs -763.5 mL, p= 0.022) was found in Group II. However, there were no differences in the percentages of post-LVA volume reduction (-43.8% vs -36.4%, p= 0.793) in Groups I and II. The use of supermicrosurgical LVA is as effective at treating moderate-to-severe lymphedema as milder lymphedema. The indication for LVA should be broadened to include such cases.