Lymphaticovenular anastomosis to prevent cellulitis associated with lymphoedema. Issue 11 (13th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mihara, M.; Hara, H.; Furniss, D.; Narushima, M.; Iida, T.; Kikuchi, K.; Ohtsu, H.; Gennaro, P.; Gabriele, G.; Murai, N.
• Is Part Of: British journal of surgery. Volume 101:Issue 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1391
• Page End: 1396
• Publication Date: 2014-08-13
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.9588
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1323

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="bjs9588-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="bjs9588-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p id="bjs9588-para-0001">One of the complications of lymphoedema is recurrent cellulitis. The aim was to determine whether lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) was effective at reducing cellulitis in patients with lymphoedema.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjs9588-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p id="bjs9588-para-0002">This was a retrospective review of patients with arm/leg lymphoedema who underwent LVA. The frequency of cellulitis was compared before and after surgery. The diagnostic criteria for cellulitis were a fever of 38·5°C or higher, and warmth/redness in the affected limb(s).</p> </sec> <sec id="bjs9588-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p id="bjs9588-para-0003">A total of 95 patients were included. The mean number of episodes of cellulitis in the year preceding surgery was 1·46, compared with 0·18 in the year after surgery (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0·001).</p> </sec> <sec id="bjs9588-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p id="bjs9588-para-0004">LVA reduced the rate of cellulitis in these patients with lymphoedema.</p> </sec> </abstract>