Combined conservative treatment and lymphatic venous anastomosis for severe lower limb lymphedema with recurrent cellulitis.

BACKGROUND

Lymphedema may be treated either conservatively or surgically. Although conservative therapy is the first-line treatment, some patients are refractory to it and repeat severe cellulitis. We usually perform lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) for lymphedema patients, and LVA can reduce the frequency of cellulitis.

CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old woman who had undergone a radical hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and postoperative radiotherapy for cervical cancer at the age 50 years. She developed lymphedema in both legs, and high-pressure compression stockings caused lymphorrhea in the groin and thigh, resulting in recurrent episodes of cellulitis. Lymphoscintigraphy revealed dilation of the lymphatic vessels in both legs. Results of an indocyanine green test revealed dermal backflow throughout the lower body. After wearing low-pressure stocking, we performed LVA to reduce cellulitis. After confirming the result of LVA, the patients started wearing high-pressure stocking. The patient underwent a subsequent LVA, 3 months after the first, to further improve edema. The lymphorrhea resolved, and cellulitis did not recur.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of surgical treatment and conservative treatment is important for severe lymphedema treatment. Although conservative treatment is usually said to be the first-line treatment, LVA can antecede in cases refractory to conservative treatment.