Modern approaches to lymphatic surgery: a narrative review.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive disease secondary to damage to the lymphatic system that results in interstitial fluid accumulation, fat deposition and inflammation. Lymphatic surgery includes a spectrum of procedures aimed to treat these sequelae of lymphedema as well as decrease the risk of lymphedema if performed as prophylactic surgery. We reviewed the literature regarding current surgical treatment options for lymphedema, imaging approaches, and directions the field may head towards both in treatment access and techniques.

Methods

We systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify approaches to surgical management of lymphedema, including physiologic and reductive methods, as well as challenges that lymphe

SUBMITTER: Zurbuchen EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11836749 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature