title: Major labiaectomy as surgical management of vulvar lymphangioma circumscriptum: three cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vulvar lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) is a developmental defect of lymphatics in deep dermal and subcutaneous layers. The entity may be acquired that induced by surgical intervention and radiation therapy for malignancy or congenital. Lymphangiomas of the vulva are rare. Thirteen cases of the congenital and 24 cases of acquired form have been reported in the literature presently.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate major labiaectomy as surgical management of vulval lymphangioma, we report our experiences on surgical treatment of three cases of this rare disease from Gynecologic Oncology Department of Vali-E-Asr Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three female patients, aged 18, 17 and 63 years, presented with persistent edema, papules, and vesicles of the labia major, among which two first cases had congenital LC and another case had developed 9 years after radical hysterectomy, lymph node dissection, and adjuvant radiotherapy of cervical cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall there was a clear improvement in the symptoms and signs associated with these conditions in all patients. In particular, all patients reported an improvement in the amount of edema following surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In particular, major labiaectomy seems to be more successful than methods such as lymphovenous anastomoses and lymph angioplasties. A single operation may prove beneficial; also, this approach has the potential to allow patients to rehabilitate to normal life and activity.
authors.affiliation: Gynecologic Oncology Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Complex, Tehran 14194, Iran. ftghaemmagh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghaemmaghami
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karimi Zarchi
authors.forename: Azamsadat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mousavi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014844:Vulva / Q000601:surgery*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*