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Liposuction for lymphoedema

Authoring team

NICE state (1):

  • evidence on the efficacy and safety of liposuction for chronic lymphoedema is adequate
  • evidence on safety shows that the potential risks include venous thromboembolism, fat embolism, and fluid overload.
  • procedure can be used provided that standard arrangements are in place for clinical governance, consent and audit

Notes (2):

  • in the Western world, lymphedema most commonly occurs following treatment of cancer
    • liposuction removes the hypertrophied adipose tissue and is a prerequisite to achieve complete reduction, and this reduction is maintained long-term through constant (24 h) use of compression garments postoperatively

Reference:

  1. NICE (April 2022). Liposuction for chronic lymphoedema
  2. Schaverien MV, Munnoch DA, Brorson H. Liposuction Treatment of Lymphedema. Semin Plast Surg. 2018;32(1):42-47. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1635116

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