Surgical Treatment of Primary Lymphedema
Jung Ho Lee and David W. Chang, Lymphatic Research and Biology 2017
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Surgical Treatment of Primary Lymphedema
Jung Ho Lee and David W. Chang, Lymphatic Research and Biology 2017
Abstract
Primary lymphedema is due to abnormal congenital development or dysfunction in the lymphatic system. Limited data exist on the prevalence of primary lymphedema and there are only few studies focusing on primary lymphedema. The purpose of this article is to review the current options for surgical treatment of primary lymphedema.
Main findings
- The main stay of treatment is non operative, with DLT being the treatment of choice.
- Physiologic (e.g. lymphaticovenular anastomosis) and ablative (e.g. liposuction) surgeries are gaining popularity for treatment of lymphedema.
- In earlier stages of disease, physiologic surgery can provide promising results. With advances in diagnostic tools such as with ICG lymphography, functional lymphatic pathways can be visualized, making it easier to select the patients and perform the surgery.
- In later stages of disease, where lymphatic vessels are occluded and lymphedema becomes non-pitting, local resection or liposuction is needed to remove excess tissue.
- To further delineate the role of surgical options in treating primary lymphedema, high quality controlled studies are needed.
