Campisi C, Boccardo F, et al.
Microsurgery. Date of publication 2002 Jan 1;volume 22(2):74-80.
1. Microsurgery. 2002;22(2):74-80.
Lymphedema and microsurgery.
Campisi C(1), Boccardo F.
Author information:
(1)Department of Specialist Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology and Organ
Transplants, Lymphology and Microsurgery Center, St. Martino's Hospital,
University of Genoa, Largo Rosanna Venzi 8, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
9364@msg-store.unige.it
Lymphedema is often diagnosed by its characteristic clinical presentation. In
some cases, however, instrumental investigations are necessary to establish the
diagnosis, particularly in early stages of the disease. One of the primary
problems for microsurgery in treating lymphedema consists of the discrepancy
between the excellent technical possibilities and the insufficient results in
reduction of lymphedematous tissue fibrosis and sclerosis. Long-term results
indicate that microsurgical operations have a valuable place in the treatment of
obstructive lymphedema (primary or secondary) and should be the treatment of
choice in these patients. Improved results can be expected with earlier
microsurgical operations because patients referred earlier usually have less
lymphatic disruption and fibrotic tissue. Advanced diagnostic methods and
improvements in operation techniques have modified indications for surgical
therapy of lymphedema. This article systematically reviews the published
literature on the microsurgical treatment of lymphedema to the present.
Copyright 2002 Wiley Liss, Inc.
PMID: 11921075 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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