Lymphedema staging and surgical indications in geriatric age

Abstract

BackgroundLymphedema, refractory to non-operative methods [1], may be managed by surgical treatment.Indications include insufficient lymphedema reduction by well performed medical and physical therapy (less than 50%), recurrent episodes of lymphangitis, intractable pain, worsening limb function, patient unsatisfied of the results obtained by non-operative methods and willing to proceed with surgical options.In this study Authors report a new lymphedema staging and their wide clinical experience in the microsurgical treatment of peripheral lymphedema [2,3] in geriatric age.