Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis for Patients with Lymphedema of the Lower Extremity: A Cumulative Experience at Siriraj Hospital
Issued Date
2022-05-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01252208
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85130979686
Journal Title
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand
Volume
105
Issue
5
Start Page
405
End Page
412
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol.105 No.5 (2022) , 405-412
Suggested Citation
Yodrabum N., Kamnerdnakta S., Chu-Ongsakul S., Chortrakarnkij P., Aojanepong C., Khaogate K., Prompattanapakdee J., Taweepraditpol S. Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis for Patients with Lymphedema of the Lower Extremity: A Cumulative Experience at Siriraj Hospital. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol.105 No.5 (2022) , 405-412. 412. doi:10.35755/jmedassocthai.2022.05.13306 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/87310
Title
Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis for Patients with Lymphedema of the Lower Extremity: A Cumulative Experience at Siriraj Hospital
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Lower extremity lymphedema is a chronic disturbing condition that commonly results from cancer or cancer treatment. Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is one of the most effective lymphedema operations. Over eight years of data collection, almost a hundred lower extremity lymphedema patients underwent LVA operations at Siriraj Hospital. Objective: To summarize the attributes of lower extremity lymphedema patients treated by the LVA operation at Siriraj Hospital, and to assess their surgical treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: The present study employed a single-center retrospective review to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of lower extremity lymphedema patients that underwent LVA operations between 2010 and 2018 at Siriraj Hospital. The reduction of limb circumference and the cellulitis rate was intended to measure the LVA operation's effectiveness by using descriptive (SPSS) statistics. Results: Ninety-four lower extremity lymphedema patients underwent the LVA operation. The average number of anastomosis was 2.9±1.2. The post-operative circumferential reductions were 4.3±1.8 cm (84.3%) at 10 cm above the patella and 5.3±0.9 cm (89.8%) at 10 cm below the tibial tuberosity. Episodes of cellulitis were consistently decreased from 1.9±0.3 to 0.6±0.1 times per year. Among the non-surgical treatments, 69.1% of the lymphedema patients were treated with pressure garments. However, only 6.4% of those patients applied skincare. Conclusion: LVA is an effective operation for lower extremity lymphedema. LVA can satisfactorily reduce excessive lymphedematous tissues and cellulitis episodes. According to the cumulative data of LVA at Siriraj Hospital, the outcome of LVA in the lower extremity has an acceptable outcome. The same holds true for the upper extremity. Unfortunately, some patients disregarded the surgical treatment. There should be an effective healthcare team to encourage this valuable treatment practice.