Impact of Lymphedema Duration on Lymphatic Vessel Quality and Outcomes after Super-microsurgical Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inferior lymphatic vessel (LV) quality was thought to be associated with prolonged lymphedema duration (LD), which can lead to unfavorable lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) outcomes. However, increasing evidence supports the use of LVA in the treatment of advanced lymphedema. Thus, this study aimed to determine the impact of LD on LV quality and outcomes after LVA in patients with secondary lower limb lymphedema.

Methods

A total of 189 patients who underwent supermicrosurgical LVA were retrospectively reviewed and enrolled. The study group (LD > 3.6 years) and the control group (LD ≤ 3.6 years) consisted of 94 and 95 patients, respectively. Patients with previous LVA, liposuction, or excisional therapy were excluded. Patient characteristics, intraoperative findin

SUBMITTER: Taliat G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456202 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature