Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis Releases the Lower Extremity Lymphedema-associated Pain

BACKGROUND We investigate the effectiveness of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in releasing lymphedema-associated pain. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis. Subjects of this study included lower extremity lymphedema patients who presented persistent and constant degrees of pain in their lower limbs. LVA was performed under local anesthesia. The preoperative lower extremity pain and postoperative lower extremity pain were surveyed using the visual analog scale on a score from 0 to 10. The circumferences of the limbs were also recorded. RESULTS A total of 8 patients (16 lower limbs) were included. The subjects included 1 man and 7 women, and their average age was 72 years. The average follow-up period was 17 months. The average preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale scores were 5.3 and 1.8, respectively. Moreover, 7 patients who had records of their lower extremity circumference observed an average changing rate of -4.7% in lower extremity lymphedema index after the surgery. CONCLUSION LVA can release the pain in the affected limbs of lymphedema.