Lymphedema Surgery

Innovative Lymphedema Treatments to Reduce Swelling & Alleviate Discomfort 

The University of Chicago Medicine is one of just a few centers in the country offering lymphovenous bypass and lymph node transfer, innovative surgical techniques designed to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort for patients with lymphedema.

Lymphedema is a disorder in which lymph fluid accumulates, leading to chronic swelling. It is a common complication following lymph node removal or radiation therapy as part of cancer treatment. The condition can develop from a few days to a few years after treatment and usually affects the arms or legs.

While there is no cure, standard care for lymphedema includes physical therapy to decrease pain and improve mobility as well as the use of compression garments to keep lymph fluid moving.

Common contributors to lymphedema include:

• Surgery: Removal of, or injury to, lymph nodes and lymph vessels can result in lymphedema.
• Radiation: Radiation therapy treatment can cause scarring and inflammation of lymph nodes or lymph vessels.
• Cancer: If cancer cells block lymphatic vessels, lymphedema may result.
• Obesity: Being overweight contributes to the development of lymphedema.
• Parasites: Filiriasis is a tropical disease caused by round worms that can damage lymphatic system.
• Other: A patient may be born with a developmental abnormality to the lymphatic system. Problems can manifest at birth, during youth or as an adult.

If the condition worsens and becomes difficult to manage, lymphovenous bypass or vascularized lymph node transfer surgery may help relieve the problem:

• Lymphovenous bypass: Under a microscope, surgeons use small instruments to connect blocked lymphatic vessels (as small as 0.3 mm in diameter) to a nearby vein. The bypass allows excess lymph fluid to flow more freely.
• Lymph node transfer: Healthy vascularized lymph nodes (lymph nodes that have a rich blood supply) are microsurgically transplanted to an area of lymphatic injury to reestablish lymphatic connections.

These surgical procedures are usually more effective for swelling in the arms than in the legs and outcomes are better in the early stages of lymphedema. While it is not a cure and results vary, many patients report that their arm or leg feels lighter and more comfortable after undergoing the treatment. Read more about surgical management of lymphedema.

Comprehensive Center of Excellence

We're proud to be designated a Comprehensive Center of Excellence by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network — one of a select few centers in the United States to achieve this honor. This important distinction signifies that UChicago Medicine sets the standard for best practice multidisciplinary care in the treatment of lymphatic diseases such as lymphedema, lipedema and lymphatic malformation. Institutions designated as a Center of Excellence have been evaluated by international leaders in an extensive review process.