Ciudad, P.; Bolletta, A.; Kaciulyte, J.; Manrique, O.J.; Escandón, J.M. Primary LYmphedema Multidisciplinary Approach in Patients Affected by Primary Lower Extremity Lymphedema. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024, 13, 5161, doi:10.3390/jcm13175161.
Ciudad, P.; Bolletta, A.; Kaciulyte, J.; Manrique, O.J.; Escandón, J.M. Primary LYmphedema Multidisciplinary Approach in Patients Affected by Primary Lower Extremity Lymphedema. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024, 13, 5161, doi:10.3390/jcm13175161.
Ciudad, P.; Bolletta, A.; Kaciulyte, J.; Manrique, O.J.; Escandón, J.M. Primary LYmphedema Multidisciplinary Approach in Patients Affected by Primary Lower Extremity Lymphedema. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024, 13, 5161, doi:10.3390/jcm13175161.
Ciudad, P.; Bolletta, A.; Kaciulyte, J.; Manrique, O.J.; Escandón, J.M. Primary LYmphedema Multidisciplinary Approach in Patients Affected by Primary Lower Extremity Lymphedema. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024, 13, 5161, doi:10.3390/jcm13175161.
Abstract
Background: Primary lymphedema is a chronic condition caused by a developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system and its malfunction. Different surgical options such as physiologic and excisional procedures have been proposed. The aim of this study was to present a complete algorithm for the treatment of primary lower extremity lymphedema: Primary LYmphedema Multidisciplinary Approach (P-LYMA).
Methods: Nineteen patients were treated according to the P-LYMA. Patients underwent pre- and post-operative complex decongestive therapy (CDT). Different physiologic and excisional procedures were performed independently or in combination. The primary outcome was the circumferential reduction rate (CRR). The Lymphedema Quality of Life Score (LeQOLiS), reduction in the number of episodes of cellulitis, length of stay, and complications were recorded.
Results: The mean CRR calculated was 72.8±19.6% after twelve months. The episodes of cellulitis per year decreased from a mean of 1.9±0.8 preoperative to 0.4± 0.6 throughtout follow-up. Two patients experienced minor complications. Mean hospitalization time was 5 days. Patients’ quality of life (LeQOLi score) drastically improved from 70.4±11.6 to 24.2 ±13.9 at twelve months post-op.
Conclusion: The P-LYMA algorithm allows to maximize surgical results and improve the quality-of life in patients who suffer from primary lymphedema. CDT is mandatory to optimize results.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
