Uncommon Procedures for Lymphedema

Many different types of procedures have been used to treat lymphedema. Although a universal operation for lymphedema does not exist, most surgeons currently use liposuction, staged skin/subcutaneous excision, lymphatic–venous anastomosis, lymph vessel transplantation, or lymph node transfer. A general consensus exists that the risk–benefit analysis for certain operations is not favorable (i.e., placement of alloplastic materials, Kondoleon procedure, Thompson operation, intraabdominal flaps, muscle flaps).