Surgical Treatment of Advanced Lymphatic Filariasis of Lower Extremity Combining Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer and Excisional Procedures

Lymphedema is a debilitating and progressive condition, which results in the accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the interstitial compartments of tissues and hypertrophy of adipose tissue due to the impairment of lymphatic circulation. The mainstay of current lymphedema treatment is nonsurgical management such as complex decongestive therapy and compression therapy. Recently, surgical treatment of lymphedema based on microsurgery has been developed to enable the functional recovery of lymphatic drainage and has complemented nonsurgical treatment. Lymphaticovenular anastomosis and vascularized lymph node transfer are representative physiologic surgeries in the treatment of lymphedema. Lymphaticovenular anastomosis is conducted to drain lymphatic fluid from obstructed lymphatic vessels to the venous circulation through surgically created lymphaticovenous shunts. Vascularized lymph node transfer involves harvesting lymph nodes with their vascular supply and transferring this vascularized tissue to the lymphedema lesion as a free flap. In addition to physiologic surgeries, ablative surgeries such as direct excision and liposuction also can be performed, especially for end-stage cases. Indications for surgical treatment vary across institutions. It is important not to delay physiologic surgery in mild to moderate cases of lymphedema.

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Simultaneous Supraclavicular Lymph Node Transfer and Lymphovenous Anastomosis for the Surgical Treatment of End-Stage Lymphedema

10.21203/rs.3.rs-278654/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kyung-Chul Moon ◽

In-Jae Yoon

Keyword(s):

Lymph Node ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Nonsurgical Management ◽

Inguinal Area ◽

History Of ◽

Lymph Node Transfer ◽

Lymphovenous Anastomosis ◽

The Right ◽

End Stage ◽

Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer

Abstract BackgroundVarious surgical options are available to treat lymphedema, such as direct excisional debulking surgery, suction-assisted lipectomy debulking, lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), and vascularized lymph node transplantation (VLNT). However, no studies have addressed simultaneous surgery with both LVA and VLNT for patients with advanced-stage lymphedema. Case Presentation A 72-year-old female with bilateral lower extremity lymphedema refractory to nonsurgical management was admitted to our lymphedema clinic. This patient had a history of lymphoma and treated with radiotherapy on right inguinal area 26 years ago. Interestingly, the patient developed lymphedema on both the right and left lower extremities although she had radiotherapy on her right inguinal area. The patient underwent simultaneous vascularized lymph node transfer and lymphovenous anastomosis for treatment of end-stage lymphedema. Significant reduction in circumference and volume of lower extremity was achieved following simultaneous vascularized lymph node transfer and lymphonvenous anastomosis Conclusion The authors recommend simultaneous VLNT and LVA surgeries as the first treatment option for patients with end-stage lymphedema.

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