The Role of Operative Management of Varicose Veins in Patients with Lymphedema and/or Lipedema of the Legs
Fldi M, Idiazabal G; 2000
Synopsis: This study examines the effects of varicose vein surgery for lymphedema or lipedema patients. Results found that leg swelling worsened or was unchanged in greater than 90% of patients after undergoing a varicose vein operation.
Abstract: The role of operative management of “symptomatic” varicose veins in patients with lower extremity lymphedema or lipedema is controversial. We reviewed the clinical outcome of 261 patients between 1989-1997 at the Fldiclinic with lower extremity lymphedema (68 patients), lipo-lymphedema or lympho-lipedema (103 patients) or lipedema (90 patients) who had undergone operation for varicose veins. In each group, the results were dismal as leg swelling worsened or was unchanged in greater than 90% whereas symptoms such as heaviness, fatigue, cramps (termed varicogenic symptomatology) were improved in less than 10%. These findings support that operations for varicose veins in the legs of patients with lymphedema, lipedema, or combinations of these disorders should be undertaken only if there is an absolute indication present (ascending phlebitis and/or bleeding). Otherwise, complete decongestive physiotherapy is still the best treatment approach for these groups of patients.
Keywords: varicose vein surgery, lipedema, lipoedema, lymphedema, lymphoedema
APA Citation: Foldi, M., & Idiazabal, G. (2000). The role of operative management of varicose veins in patients with lymphedema and/or lipedema of the legs. Lymphology, 33(4), 167-171.
AMA Citation: Foldi M, Idiazabal G.The role of operative management of varicose veins in patients with lymphedema and/or lipedema of the legs. Lymphology. 2000;33(4):167-171.
