One of my desires is to bring all types of information relating to leg lymphedema to the readers. I must admit,
I really had to grit my teeth on this article.
The authors speak of a long term follow up time frame as 31 months. This is hardly adequate when you are
investigating long term possible complications. Indeed, I had the Thompson'sprocedure done in three surgeries
from 1971 through 1973. The first 31 months did see a reduction in leg size and a slight reduction in cellulitis
episodes.
However, long term should mean a 10, 20 or even longer time frame. After twenty years, I experienced horrific
complications from the surgery, not the least of all was mixed b-cell lymphoma.
Also, if the research proves to be correct about the possibilities that secondary lymphedema patients
are people who are already "at risk" for lymphedema, then the introduction of yet another area of surgery (abdomen)
could prove to be disasterous as well. Any type of surgery that would injury, damage or adversly effect the lymph
system in the abdomen can (as has been well documented) cause abdominal lymphedema.
Please do not consider the posting of this article as an endorsement of any kind and I would further discourage
lymphedema patients from having it.
Pat
The contralateral rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap for treatment of lower extremity lymphedema.
Ann Plast Surg. 2009 Jan
Parrett BM, Sepic J., Pribaz JJ
Division of Plastic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
Lymphedema is common after inguinal lymphadenectomy or resection of groin tumors. Animal studies have shown success using the rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAM) flap as a treatment for lymphedema. Four patients with acquired lower extremity lymphedema were treated with a contralateral RAM flap with an inferior cutaneous pedicle left intact to facilitate lymphatic drainage into the unaffected groin. One patient also had lymphaticovenous anastomoses performed during flap transfer. All flaps survived with no postoperative complications. With a mean follow-up of 31 months, the mean reduction in limb circumference from the preoperative excess was 81% at the thigh, 70% at the calf, and 71% at the ankle. None of the patients with recurrent cellulitis had further incidences of groin cellulitis. Two patients required future flap debulking. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 1 patient and demonstrated reconstitution of lymphatic flow from the affected leg through the flap. According to this preliminary study, transfer of a contralateral RAM flap to the groin of a lymphedematous leg improves lymphedema and decreases the incidence of cellulitis.
For further information on surgeries used for the treatment of lymphedema, please see:
and
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