Lymphovenous Bypass as an Alternative Strategy for Managing Phleboedema and Venous Leg Ulcers: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Background: Chronic venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a common manifestation of chronic venous insufficiency, accounting for up to 70% of all chronic leg ulcers. Patients sustained refractory ulcers and persistent phleboedema even with a combination of different treatment methods. Lymphovenous bypass (LVB) has shown promising results in patients with lymphedema. We hypothesize that LVB could potentially alleviate VLUs and phleboedema, given their symptom similarities with lymphedema. Methods: From May 2021 to June 2023, we prospectively deployed LVB in patients with nonhealing stasis ulcers after 4-week traditional care, or in those with persistent phleboedema despite prior surgery for vein etiologies. Demographics, healing course and recurrence, lymphoscintigraphy, and VLU quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were collected. Results: Thirty-one patients were treated with LVB and additional skin grafting as necessary. Their mean age was 62.6 ± 14.7 years, with male predominance (20, 64.5%), and most patients sustained clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic classification C6 (25, 80.6%). Postoperatively, wound healing and phleboedema decongestion were observed mostly within 2 months. The VLU QoL questionnaire (39.3% response rate) showed improvement in QoL in activities, and psychological and symptom distress aspects. Conclusions: Using LVB for chronic venous insufficiency showed an increase in the success rate of ulcer healing and decompression of the swollen limbs with durable results. Patient-reported outcome measures disclosed the potential benefits of LVB. Large-scale randomized controlled trials and pathophysiological studies are warranted to elucidate its efficacy.