Surgical Treatment Options
For some individuals, there are circumstances that make surgery an option for treatment. Surgery does not cure lymphedema, but it can be an impactful intervention to reduce tissue swelling and improve self-care for certain patients.
Lymphatic Debulking Surgery
In some individuals, longstanding lymphedema in the tissue becomes replaced with fat cells. Fat and fat cells cannot be absorbed by the lymphatic system and cannot be displaced from the tissue. Under these circumstances traditional CDT techniques are ineffective. A surgical procedure, similar to liposuction, can be performed in these individuals. This is not traditional liposuction and requires a specialized intervention that targets and removes the fat cells using a liposuction technique. While this technique can reduce limb volume, it is not a cure for lymphedema. Following the procedure, compression garments and components of Phase II CDT are employed to maintain the limb in its reduced state. There are specialized centers and surgeons that are uniquely qualified to perform this technique.
Excisional Surgeries
Debulking procedures remove tissue and excess skin that hangs in folds on the limb or body region. These procedures are done selectively and require continued self-care with compression garments and Phase II CDT techniques to maintain the limb volume reductions.
Vascularized Lymph Node Transplant
This procedure requires the removal of lymph nodes from one region of the body to replace lymph nodes that have been removed or are damaged in another region. This technique is being studied as a potential option to replace lymph nodes proactively and possibly prevent lymphedema onset.