Development of functionally patent lymphatic meshes in postsurgical long-term resolution of peripheral secondary lymphedema.

Objective: In oncologic surgery, secondary lymphedema of male external genital organs and upper or lower limbs frequently develops as a result of excision or mechanical obstruction of collecting lymphatic trunks. We evaluated whether the short-term and long-term outcomes of microsurgical treatment of limb and genital organs improves tissue drainage in patients with secondary lymphedema by restoring the pre-existing lymphatic networks or through new lymphangiogenesis.

Methods: Of 110 secondary lymphedema patients, microsurgery was performed in 45 hospitalized patients.