Liposuction Normalizes – in Contrast to Other Therapies – Lymphedema-Induced Adipose Tissue Hypertrophy^[*]

Abstract

The various types of treatment of lymphedema are under discussion and there has been some controversy regarding liposuction for lymphedema. Although it is clear that conservative therapies such as complex decongestive therapy (CDT) and controlled compression therapy (CCT) should be tried in the first instance, options for the treatment of late-stage lymphedema that is not responding to such treatment is not so clear. Improvements in technique, patient preparation, and patient follow-up have led to a greater and a wider acceptance of liposuction as a treatment for lymphedema. This paper outlines the benefits of using liposuction and presents the evidence to support its use.

Zusammenfassung

Die Fettabsaugung stellt eine der vielfältigen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten von Lymphödemen dar. Es ist unumstritten, dass als erster Therapieversuch bei Lymphödemen die manuelle Lymphdrainage (MLD) und die kontrollierte Kompressionstherapie angewendet werden. Dagegen ist die Wahl eines optimalen Therapieverfahrens bei fortgeschrittenen und bezüglich konservativer Behandlung refraktären Lymphödemen strittig. Verbesserungen in der Technik der Liposuktion, der Patientenvorbereitung sowie der Nachsorge haben zu einer höheren und breiteren Akzeptanz der Fettabsaugung beim Lymphödem geführt. In dieser Arbeit werden die Vorteile der Fettabsaugung bei dieser Indikation definiert und es wird die Berechtigung dieser Technik durch die Präsentation von Behandlungsergebnissen hervorgehoben.

Keywords

liposuction - lymphedema - adipose tissue - upper limb - lower limb - lymphatics

Schlüsselwörter

Fettabsaugung - Lymphödem - Fettgewebe - obere Extremität - untere Extremität - Lymphgefäße

*

^*  Zweitpublikation der Originalarbeit aus J Lymphoedema 2008; 3: 38-47 von Brorson H, Ohlin K, Svensson B. mit dem Titel: The facts about liposuction as a treatment for lymphoedema (mit freundlicher Genehmigung).

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