Radical excision and delayed reconstruction of a lymphedematous leg with a 15 year follow-up.
An adult female patient with primary lymphedema of the lower extremity was treated with total excision of the subcutaneous tissues followed by delayed reconstruction with a giant full thickness skin graft taken from the excised surgical specimen. The leg has maintained excellent function and contour over the ensuing 15 years. A small area on the dorsum of the foot that initially was covered with a split thickness skin graft required subsequent regrafting using abdominal skin. This area developed verrucoid changes.
Dumanian
G A
GA
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Futrell
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous