# Microsurgical Lymphatic Vessel Transplantation for Chronic Lymphedema: Long-Term Evaluation of Volume Reduction and Lymphatic Transport Kinetics

## TL;DR

This study shows that a surgical procedure called lymphatic vessel transplantation can significantly reduce swelling in chronic lymphedema patients over the long term.

## Contribution

The study provides long-term evidence of volume reduction and improved lymphatic function following lymphatic vessel transplantation.

## Key findings

- LVT resulted in significant volume reduction both in the short term and at long-term follow-up.
- There was no significant difference between manual and 3D volumetry measurements.
- LVT improved lymph transport capacity, contributing to better patient outcomes.

## Abstract

This study investigates long-term volume reduction after microsurgical autologous lymphatic vessel transplantation (LVT) in patients with chronic lymphoedema. Lymphoedema is caused by inadequate lymphatic drainage and leads to swelling, pain, and a reduced quality of life. Conservative treatments often show only limited success, which is why surgical procedures such as LVT are increasingly gaining in importance. In a retrospective long-term analysis, patients who underwent LVT between 1988 and 2010 were examined on average 21.7 years after surgery. The examination included pre- and post-operative volume measurements, which were supplemented by modern 3D body scanner analyses and lymphoscintigraphy. The results show a significant volume reduction both in the short term (p < 0.01) and at the follow-up examination (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference between manual volumetry with circumferential measurements and 3D volumetry (p = 0.775). The improvement in lymph transport capacity was considerable (p = 0.078). This study provides valuable insights for the further development of lymphatic surgery. While preferred surgical methods change over time, this study demonstrates that LVT can make a decisive contribution to improving the quality of life of lymphedema patients.