Optimizing Outcomes in Lymphedema Reconstruction

Abstract

Learning Objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe current surgical techniques for treating primary and secondary lymphedema. 2. Optimize the surgical care of patients with lymphedema. Summary: Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in the surgical treatment of lymphedema. The most notable changes have been the reintroduction and evolution of physiologic techniques, including lymphovenous bypass—sometimes referred to as lymphovenous anastomosis in the literature—and vascularized lymph node transplant. These surgical modalities are now often used as first-line surgical options or may be combined with nonphysiologic approaches, including direct excision and suction-assisted lipectomy. Surgeons continue to debate the most appropriate sequence and combination of surgical treatment, particularly for patients at both extremes of the severity spectrum. Furthermore, debate remains around the need to apply different treatment approaches for patients with upper versus lower extremity involvement and primary versus secondary cause. In this article, we provide a summary of the surgical techniques currently used for both primary and secondary lymphedema and provide our recommendations for optimizing the surgical care of patients with lymphedema.