Lymphovenous anastomosis in filarial lymphedema.
Correction of established filarial edema requires lymphaticovenous by-pass, to overcome the lymphatic obstruction and debulking to reduce the lymphatic load. Lymphnodovenous shunt at inguinal area has given 90% success in the authors hand, proving the by-pass. However, in an enormously swollen leg the dilated distal lymphatics may not be adequately drained and hence a distal lymphaticovenous anastomosis should theoretically offer further reduction; and thereby make debulking effective. In this article 3 cases are reported in whom lymphovenous anastomosis was done, in 2 at the knee level and in 1 at the ankle, their result and rationale are discussed.
D004604:Elephantiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005368:Filariasis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000601:surgery; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000601:surgery*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery*