title: Lymphorrhea responds to negative pressure wound therapy.
abstract: Lymphoceles and lymph fistulas are common complications of femoral exposure for vascular procedures. Three patients who required readmission after their vascular interventions were treated with negative pressure wound therapy. Once adequate control of the drainage was obtained, the patients were discharged home with a portable suction unit. The mean time to stop lymph leak was 14 days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 7.3 days. This method of management offers early control of fluid drainage, rapid control of the wound, earlier closure, and the potential for reduced length of stay. Patient acceptance and convenience may be enhanced by outpatient management and return to work in appropriately motivated individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, Newark and East Orange, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abai
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Zickler
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Pappas
authors.forename: Brajesh K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: Frank T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Padberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005402:Fistula / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008210:Lymphocele / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014618:Vacuum; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D014945:Wound Healing