Normally, I don't post articles suggesting surgeries on lymphedema. Due to the complications that have been experienced by lymphedema patients, I am strongly opposed to what we call a debulking surgery.
However, this study is interesting for a couple reason. The surgery appears to be one I have never heard of - Auchincloss-Homan's procedure and references to stages IV-V which they call "end-Stage" lymphedema.
I research those items to see what I can find and of course will post the info.
In the meantime, here is the abstract.
Supplemental surgical treatment to end stage (stage IV-V) of chronic lymphedema.
Int Angiol. 2008 Oct
Lee BB, Kim YW, Kim DI, Hwang JH, Laredo J, Neville R.
Department of Surgery, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA.
AIM: When the lymphedema reaches to its end stages, the complex decongestive therapy (CDT) and/or compression therapy become less effective and increased risk of systemic/general sepsis to become potentially life threatening condition.
METHODS: To improve its clinical management, excisional surgery was performed on 22 patients for their 33 limbs in the end stage of lymphedema as a supplemental therapy, and its efficacy was retrospectively analyzed. Diagnosis was made by radionuclide lymphoscintigraphy and basic laboratory studies (e.g. ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging). Twenty-two patients (mean age: 46 years; 3 male and 19 female; 5 primary and 17 secondary) submitted to the excisional surgery on 33 limbs (unilateral: 11; bilateral: 22). Surgery was indicated by further progression of the disease with recurrent sepsis despite adequate antibiotics therapy. A modified Auchincloss-Homan's operation was used to excise grotesquely disfigured soft tissue with advanced dermato-lipo-fibrosclerotic change. The normal limb contour was re-established to allow proper postoperative therapy. Postoperative CDT and compression therapy were mandatorily implemented in all cases.
RESULTS: A postoperative assessment of the treatment results, at 12 months showed an overall improvement in 28 of the 33 limbs: substantial improvement on the condition of limb function and quality of life (QOL), and local and/or systemic sepsis. Eighteen patients with good compliance to maintain the postoperative CDT showed much improved clinical results and QOL through the first interim assessment (24 months).
CONCLUSION: Excisional surgery at the end stage of lymphedema seems to provide substantial improvement of clinical condition and QOL only when mandated postoperative CDT/compression therapy is well kept.
PMID: 18974701 [PubMed - in process]
