Application of liposuction in treating the primary end-stage lymphedema of lower extremities / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate outcome and clinical value of liposuction in primary lymphedema of lower extremities.@*Methods@#Thirty patients with primary lymphedema in unilateral lower extremity were recruited in this study from July 2016 to August 2017 in Beijing Shijitan Hospital. There were 13 male and 17 female patients, with the average age of (36±16.3) years. All the patients were underwent liposuction. The volume of hemorrhage and lipid, operation time and the volume changes of affected extremity were recorded. The subjective evaluation of the patients were also proceed. The patients were divided into different groups according to gender, stage and erysipelas history.@*Results@#Total lipid volume is 900-3 900 ml. The hemorrhage volume is 160-1 100 ml during liposuction. The ipsilateral-contralateral percent volume of lower extremity was decreased immediately after surgery (6.6%±10.0%, t=7.050, P=0.000), and 3 months postoperatively (12.2%±10.7%, t=5.365, P=0.000), when compared with preoperative (31.4%±16.4%). However, the percent volume was increased 3 months after surgery, compared to immediately postoperative measurements (t=-2.088, P=0.041). Female patients had more lipid volume and higher liposuction rate than males, whereas male patients show more affected extremities volume before, after and in 3-month follow-up. The hemorrhage volume was also higher in male than female patients. Patients with erysipelas had higher volume of hemorrhage, with lower lipid volume and liposuction rate. Stage Ⅱpatients show higher lipid volume and liposuction rate than stage Ⅲ patients in operation, with lower hemorrhage and affected extremity volume changes in before, after and 3-month follow-up. In subjective assessment, the experienced heaviness and fatigue was alleviated in all patients, while the pain and tightness was increased.@*Conclusions@#Liposuction is an effective therapy for primary lymphedema in lower extremity. It is necessary to combine with other therapies to improve lymph circulation. Patients′ gender, stage and the history of erysipelas are the main influencing factors of operation difficulty and prognosis.