Results of surgical treatment of massive localized lymphedema in severely obese patients

• Published in: Revista do Colegio Brasileiro de Cirurgioes Vol. 41; no. 1; p. 18
• Main Authors: Cintra Júnior, Wilson, Modolin, Miguel Luiz Antonio, Rocha, Rodrigo Itocazo, Fernandes, Thadeu Rangel, Nogueira, Ariel Barreto, Gemperli, Rolf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil 01-01-2014
• Subjects: Adult; Female; Humans; Lymphedema - etiology; Lymphedema - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity, Morbid - complications; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1809-4546

to evaluate the importance of treatment of deformities caused by massive localized lymphedema (MLL) in the severely obese.
in a period of seven years, nine patients with morbid obesity and a mean age of 33 years underwent surgical resection of massive localized lymphedema with primary synthesis. This is a retrospective study on the surgical technique, complication rates and improved quality of life.
all patients reported significant improvement after surgery, with greater range of motion, ambulation with ease and more effective hygiene. Histological analysis demonstrated the existence of a chronic inflammatory process marked by lymphomonocitary infiltrate and severe tissue edema. We observed foci of necrosis, formation of microabscesses, points of suppuration and local fibrosis organization, and pachydermia. The lymphatic vessels and some blood capillaries were increased, depicting a framework of linfangiectasias.
surgical treatment of MLL proved to be important for improving patients' quality of life, functionally rehabilitating them and optimizing multidisciplinary follow-up of morbid obesity, with satisfactory surgical results and acceptable complication rates, demonstrating the importance of treatment and awareness about the disease.