For Patients
What Is Lymphatic Surgery?
Lymphatic surgery refers to a group of highly specialized operations designed to prevent and manage lymphatic dysfunction. When the lymphatic system does not work properly, fluid can build up causing swelling, heaviness, discomfort, and infections. This condition often affects the extremities but can affect any part of the human body. The most common disease of the lymphatics is called lymphedema of which there are two main types:
Primary lymphedema - caused by problems with the lymphatic system that are present at birth or develop later in life without another trigger.
Secondary lymphedema - develops after damage to the lymphatic system, most commonly from cancer treatment (surgery or radiation), but also from infection, trauma, or other medical conditions.
Lymphatic surgery procedures are tailored to each patient and are usually combined with non-surgical therapies (such as compression, exercise, and lymphatic massage) to give the best results.
How Lymphatic Surgical Procedures Can Help
Understanding lymphatic surgery can feel overwhelming but we are here to help. Below you will find an overview of common procedures used to prevent and manage lymphedema, how they work, and which situations they may be best suited for. Always talk to your healthcare team to determine what is right for you.
Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction (ILR)/Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventative Healing Approach (LYMPHA): A risk-reducing microsurgical procedure performed at the same time as lymph node removal (for example, during breast cancer surgery). Similar to LVA and shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of the development of lymphedema.
Lymphovenous Anastomosis (LVA): LVA, also known as lymphovenous bypass (LVB), is a microsurgical procedure that connects lymphatic vessels directly to nearby veins or those harvested from a secondary location. It works as a physiological bypass to alleviate lymph fluid build-up and is often suitable for early-stage lymphedema.
Vascularized Lymph Node Transplant (VLNT): A procedure in which healthy lymph nodes are taken from another body region and transplanted (as a free flap) to the affected area to restore lymphatic drainage pathways. It is often utilized in patients with significantly impaired drainage who require more robust physiological restoration.
Liposuction: A procedure aimed at removing excess fatty or fibrotic tissue that contributes to swelling.
