Management Of Chronic Lymphedema Research Articles

Surgical management of unilateral lower limb lymphedema in combination of debulking and physiologic procedures: a case report

Lymphedema has a high incidence and various causes including filariasis in developing countries and as complications following oncological surgery in developed countries. It reduces patients’ quality of life, productivity and currently lacks a cure. Current management involves debulking or physiological methods, with debridement being the preferred debulking method and lymph node transfer, the preferred physiological option. Most reports on the management of lymphedema or its associated outcomes have reported the use of either of these modalities with favourable outcomes, albeit some complications. There is however paucity of documented cases where a patient underwent both debulking and physiological treatment in management of chronic lymphedema and our case study reports on the same, with favourable outcome and minimal complications. Our patient, a 30 year old female presented with an 8 year history of slowly progressive right lower limb oedema. Physical examination revealed marked right lower limb swelling that was non- pitting, non-tender, erythematous, with marked thickening of skin, yellowing of the nails and a positive stemmer sign. Lymphoscintigraphy revealed hypoplastic lymphatic channels and faulty valves. Debulking using modified Charles procedure and vascularised lymph node transfer were done within a one month interval. Ten months later, she is doing well with no relapse.

Chronic lymphedema in patients with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma: incidence, clinical features, risk factors and management

ObjectivesThere are no cohort studies of chronic lymphedema in patients with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE). We sought to characterize the incidence, clinical features, risk factors and management of chronic lymphedema in patients with KHE.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients who had a minimum of 3 years of follow-up after the onset of KHE and/or Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon (KMP). Clinical features were reviewed to determine the possible cause of chronic lymphedema. The degree of lymphedema, risk factors and management strategies were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 118 patients, chronic lymphedema was confirmed by lymphoscintigraphy 1 year after the onset of KHE and/or KMP in 13 patients. In 8 patients with lymphedema, extremity swelling was evident in the presence of KHE and/or KMP. In all patients with lymphedema, a unilateral extremity was affected, along with ipsilateral KHE. Most (84.6%) patients reported moderate lymphedema. Lymphedema was more common in patients with larger (≥ 10 cm) and mixed lesions involving the extremities (P < 0.01). A history of KMP and sirolimus treatment were not predictors of lymphedema (P > 0.05). Overall, 76.9% of patients received sirolimus treatment after referral, including 53.8% who presented extremity swelling before referral. Seven (53.8%) patients received compression therapy. Five (38.5%) patients reported lymphedema-associated decreased range of motion at the last follow-up.ConclusionsChronic lymphedema is a common sequela of KHE and can occur independently of KMP and sirolimus treatment. Patients with large and mixed KHE involving extremities should be closely monitored for this disabling complication.

Current Status of Lymphatic Reconstructive Surgery for Chronic Lymphedema: It Is Still an Uphill Battle!

The goal of reconstructive lymphatic surgery is to restore normal lymphatic function to "cure" permanently the lymphedematous limb in patients with lymphedema. In reality, reconstructive surgery remains an adjunctive treatment at best, with its current indication being refractory lymphedema in patients treated with complex decongestive therapy (CDT) alone. The role of reconstructive lymphatic surgery remains controversial and is far from being accepted as standard independent therapy because of multiple reasons. However, reconstructive surgery appears to be most effective in controlling the progression of lymphedema during the early stages when the paralyzed lymph vessels are still able to function and recover. Our experience in reconstructive surgery has shown that improved long-term results are dependent on prolonged patient compliance with maintenance CDT and the prevention and treatment of infection. To better understand the role of reconstructive surgery in the management of chronic lymphedema, well-constructed clinical trials based on well-organized multicenter studies with similar protocols are mandated. For the future, it remains the only possible treatment method capable of providing a cure.

Treatment of Lymphedema

To the Editor.— In regard to the question asked in Management of Chronic Lymphedema in a Young Man by L. George Hershey, DO (241:1625, 1979), I was distressed with the final answer by David I. Abramson, MD. There is adequate evidence that it takes pressures of between 20 to 30 mm Hg to keep lymphedema under control, and this is similar to work done in the treatment of hypertrophic burn scars. With hypoplastic lymphatic channels, one can anticipate, unless optimum pressure is maintained, that there will be a gradual increase in the size of the areas involved with lymphedema. To the best of my knowledge, there is no evidence that furosemide (Lasix) really helps in the management of secondary lymphedema as it relates to aplastic or hypoplastic lymphatic channels or with destruction of the continuity of lymphatic channels. Basically, secondary lymphedema, which I presume this case to be, indicates first the