Abstract
The results of lymphedema treatment by lymph vascular reconstructive surgery using autogenous lymphatic grafts in 380 patients, who were treated between June 1980 and January 2014, are reported. Lymphedemas of the upper limbs were present in 215 patients, of the lower limbs in 155, and of the penis and scrotum in ten.
The patients were followed by volume measurement, lymphoscintigraphy, indirect lymphography, MR lymphangiography, and quality of life assessment.
Volume measurements revealed significant improvement also at follow-up periods up to 8 years.
Lymphoscintigraphic studies showed significant improvement up to normalization in lymphatic transport also years after lymphatic reconstruction.
Long-term patency of lymphatic grafts has been proved by indirect lymphography and MRI lymphangiography.
Quality of life assessment studies resulted in significant rise of quality, especially in patients with arm edemas.
Only minor complications were seen, e.g., lymphocele and venous bleeding.
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Baumeister, R.G.H. (2017). Results of Reconstructive Lymph Vascular Surgery. In: Reconstructive Lymph Vascular Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31647-5_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31647-5_5
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