Effective treatment of lymphedema of the extremities.

Abstract

EFFECTIVE treatment of chronic extremity lymphedema has eluded the medical profession for many generations. Physicians typically advise the use of limb sleeves or stockings and pneumatic pump devices for the treatment of this condition. Occasionally, diuretics are prescribed in the attempt to decrease the peripheral edema. In the most severe cases, patients may be advised to have either a surgical debulking procedure,^1-4 a tissue autotransplant,^5,6 or, more recently, a microsurgical operation^7-10 to alleviate the symptoms of lymphedema and to improve the quality of life. Most patients are advised to learn to live with the chronic swelling because an effective therapy is lacking.