• D-A A Lamprou, H G J Voesten, R J Damstra, and O R M Wikkeling.
• Expert Centre of Lympho-Vascular Medicine, Departments of Vascular Surgery, Nij Smellinghe Hospital, Drachten, The Netherlands.
• Br J Surg. 2017 Jan 1; 104 (1): 84-89.

BackgroundThe treatment of end-stage lymphoedema of the leg is challenging, especially when conservative treatment fails and there is a large volume difference between the affected and unaffected legs. Circumferential suction-assisted lipectomy (CSAL) has been described as a treatment option for end-stage lymphoedema of the leg. Here, the long-term results of CSAL in end-stage primary and secondary lymphoedema of the leg were analysed.MethodsThis was a descriptive study of patients treated with CSAL for unilateral chronic irreversible lymphoedema of the leg. Compression therapy was resumed after surgery. Leg volumes were measured before surgery, and at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months after the procedure.ResultsA total of 47 patients with primary lymphoedema had a median preoperative volume difference between affected and unaffected legs of 3686 (i.q.r. 2851-5121) ml. Two years after surgery, this volume difference was reduced to 761 ml, a 79 per cent reduction. In the 41 patients treated for secondary lymphoedema, the median preoperative volume difference was 3320 (i.q.r. 2533-4783) ml, decreasing after 2 years to -38 ml (101 per cent reduction). The preoperative volume difference and the sex of the patient significantly influenced the final outcome after 2 years. The outcome was not related to BMI or other patient characteristics.ConclusionCSAL is an effective method for treating both primary and secondary lymphoedema of the leg.© 2016 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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