Lymphological Liposculpture for Secondary Lymphedema after Breast Cancer and Gynecological Tumors: Long-Term Results after 15 Years

Abstract

Background Untreated lymphedema of an extremity leads to an increase in volume. The therapy of this condition can be conservative or surgical. Methods “Lymphological liposculpture” is a two-part procedure consisting of resection and conservative follow-up treatment to achieve curative volume adjustment of the extremities in secondary lymphedema. This treatment significantly reduces the need for complex decongestive therapy (CDT). From 2005 to 2020, 3,184 patients with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer and gynecological tumors were treated in our practice and clinic. “Lymphological liposculpture” was applied to 65 patients, and the data were recorded and evaluated by means of perometry and questionnaires. Results The alignment of the sick to the healthy side was achieved in all patients. In 58.42% (n = 38), the CDT treatment could be completely stopped postoperatively; in another 33.82% (n = 22) of the patients, a permanent reduction of the CDT was achieved. In 7.69% (n = 5) patients, the postoperative CDT could not be reduced. A total of 92.30% (n = 60) of the patients described a lasting significant improvement in their quality of life. Conclusion “Lymphological liposculpture” is a standardized curative sustainable procedure for secondary lymphedema for volume adjustment of the extremities and reduction of postoperative CDT with eminent improvement of the quality of life.

Keywords

• lymphedema
• complex decongestive therapy
• mammary carcinoma
• cervical carcinoma
• liposuction
• lipohyperplasia dolorosa