ABSTRACT
Over the last 9 years, the authors analyzed lymphedema of the lower extremity in a
total of 25 patients, comparing the use of supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis
and/or conservative treatment. The most common cause of edema was hysterectomy, with
or without subsequent radiation therapy for uterine cancer. Among 12 cases that underwent
only conservative treatment, only one case showed a decrease of over 4 cm in the circumference
of the lower leg. The average period for conservative treatment was 1.5 years, and
the average decreased circumference was 0.6 cm (8 percent of the preoperative excess).
Thirteen patients were followed after lymphaticovenular anastomoses, as well as pre-
and postoperative conservative treatment. The average follow-up after surgery was
3.3 years, and eight patients showed a reduction of over 4 cm in the circumference
of the lower leg. The average decrease in the circumference, excluding edema in the
bilateral leg, was 4.7 cm (55.6 percent of the preoperative excess). These results
indicate that supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis has a valuable place
in the treatment of lymphedema.
KEYWORDS
Leg lymphedema - lymphaticovenular anastomosis - long-term follow-up
