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Semin intervent Radiol 2020; 37(03): 295-308
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713447
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Lymphedema: Conventional to Cutting Edge Treatment

Duane Wang
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
,
Daniel Lyons
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
,
Roman Skoracki
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 July 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Lymphedema of the extremities related to oncologic therapies such as cancer surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy is a major long-term cause of morbidity for cancer patients. Both nonsurgical and surgical management strategies have been developed. The goals of these therapies are to achieve volume reduction of the affected extremity, a reduction in patient symptoms, and a reduction in associated morbidities such as recurrent soft-tissue infections. In this article, we review both nonsurgical and surgical management strategies. Traditional surgical therapy has focused on more ablative techniques such as the Charles procedure and suction-assisted lipectomy/liposuction. However, newer more physiologic surgical methods such as lymphovenous anastomoses and vascularized lymph node transfers have become a more common treatment modality for the management of this complex problem.

Keywords

lymphedema - lymphovenous bypass - vascularized lymph node transfer - interventional radiology
 

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