Compression therapy and liposuction of lower legs for bilateral hereditary primary lymphedema praecox

In this report, we describe a case of bilateral non-syndromic hereditary lymphedema praecox of lower legs. The patient was diagnosed at age 16. Ten years later, he was unable to ambulate due to increased bilateral lower leg volume, continuous pain, and recurrent episodes of cellulitis. He was treate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of vascular surgery 2009, Vol.49 (1), p.222-224
Main Authors: Espinosa-de-los-Monteros, Antonio, MD, Hinojosa, Carlos A., MD, Abarca, Leonardo, MD, Iglesias, Martín, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Cellulitis - genetics
Cellulitis - therapy
Combined Modality Therapy
Dermatology
Elephantiasis - complications
Elephantiasis - genetics
Elephantiasis - physiopathology
Elephantiasis - surgery
Elephantiasis - therapy
Humans
Leg - pathology
Leg - physiopathology
Lipectomy
Lymphedema - complications
Lymphedema - genetics
Lymphedema - physiopathology
Lymphedema - surgery
Lymphedema - therapy
Male
Medical sciences
Pain - genetics
Pain Management
Pain Measurement
Recovery of Function
Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects
Stockings, Compression
Surgery
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Treatment Outcome
Vascular surgery: aorta, extremities, vena cava. Surgery of the lymphatic vessels
Walking
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Summary:In this report, we describe a case of bilateral non-syndromic hereditary lymphedema praecox of lower legs. The patient was diagnosed at age 16. Ten years later, he was unable to ambulate due to increased bilateral lower leg volume, continuous pain, and recurrent episodes of cellulitis. He was treated at our tertiary-care center with compression therapy and circumferential liposuction of lower legs, ankles, and dorsum of feet in order to remove hypertrophic fat deposits, facilitate conservative therapy, and decrease further risk of cellulitis. No complications were seen and compression therapy was continued. Fourteen month follow-up reveals no increase in leg volume over time, absence of pain, and no further episodes of cellulitis with complete ability to ambulate and return to normal activities. Even when it does not eliminate the underlying cause of primary lymphedema, combined therapy consisting of compression and liposuction is safe and is able to achieve control, at least on a short term, of clinically disabling conditions associated with advanced stages.
ISSN:0741-5214
1097-6809
DOI:10.1016/j.jvs.2008.07.073