Liposuction for chronic lymphoedema of the upper limb: 5 years of experience

Summary Background Lymphoedema of the upper limb is a well-recognised complication of axillary surgery for breast cancer. Effective long-term treatment of lymphoedema by liposuction has previously been demonstrated. In this study we present our first five years of experience using this technique in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2012-07, Vol.65 (7), p.935-942
Main Authors: Schaverien, Mark V, Munro, Kirsty J, Baker, Paul A, Munnoch, D. Alex
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Axilla - surgery
Bandages
Biological and medical sciences
Blood and lymphatic vessels
Breast Neoplasms - psychology
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
Cardiology. Vascular system
Confidence Intervals
Diseases of the lymphatic vessels
Female
Humans
Lipectomy - methods
Liposuction
Long-term
Lymphedema - etiology
Lymphedema - psychology
Lymphedema - surgery
Lymphoedema
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Outcomes
Plastic Surgery
Prospective Studies
Skin plastic surgery
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Surveys and Questionnaires
Treatment Outcome
Upper limb
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Summary:Summary Background Lymphoedema of the upper limb is a well-recognised complication of axillary surgery for breast cancer. Effective long-term treatment of lymphoedema by liposuction has previously been demonstrated. In this study we present our first five years of experience using this technique in treatment of upper limb lymphoedema. Methods A prospective analysis of the results of 12 patients who underwent liposuction followed by compression therapy for chronic unilateral upper limb oedema with up to five years of follow-up was carried out. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score questionnaires and a Visual Analogue Score for overall well-being were also completed pre- and post-operatively. Results The mean duration of lymphoedema was seven years (range, 1–14), commencing at a mean of one year (range, 0–5) after axillary surgery. The mean excess arm volume at admission was 1391 ml and the ratio of the lymphoedematous to the unaffected arm was 1·48. The mean total aspirate volume was 1713 ml, of which 87 percent was fat. At one year the mean percentage volume reduction compared with the normal arm was 101 percent, meaning that the volume of both of patients’ arms was virtually equivalent, and this reduction was stable with up to 5 years of follow-up. Postoperatively there were reductions in anxiety ( p  
ISSN:1748-6815
1878-0539
DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2012.01.021