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Lymphedema Surgery

What we do

The major benefit of Kameda Medical Center for lymphedema is that we can prevent and cure lymphedema with a variety of different examinations and treatment methods through our LYMPHEDEMA Clinic and LYMPHATIC-CARE Clinic as one stop service.

Firstly, a patient who is suspected to suffer from cancer-related secondary lymphedema, or primary lymphedema, will have initial medical examinations at the LYMPHEDEMA Clinic. An imaging examination for diagnosis is the next step in the process. We have a wide variety of imaging technology with our recommendation determined by the severity of each individual case and the need for exclusion of potential alternative diseases. Some of our examination technology includes, but isn’t limited to, Radionuclide Lymphoscintigraphy, Near-infrared florescence lymphography, Venography, MRI imaging, Venous and lymphatic ultrasonography. Patients are also given the opportunity to select their preferred examination method.

Following a lymphedema diagnosis, a patient will receive education on their specific case and consultation for conservative therapy, or prevention, from a lymphedema therapist at the LYMPHATIC-CARE Clinic. Seven lymphatic therapists are employed by our hospital where the focus is not only on compression therapy and lymph drainage, but also on exercise therapy and skin care through collaboration with our rehabilitation, dermatology departments and our sports medicine center. For severe cases and the elderly, as it is difficult to perform or receive conservative therapy as outpatients, they can be admitted to the hospital for this treatment.

After the start of conservative treatment, there are regular examinations at the LYMPHEDEMA Clinic to monitor for cases that are resistant to conservative treatment, or cases that exhibit repeat cellulitis. For these resistant, repeat, or severe cases, surgical treatment can be performed. We perform surgeries for lymphedema including  lymphaticovenous anastomosis, vascularized lymph node transfer, tumescent liposuction, and suction-assisted lipectomy. Depending on the severity and condition of the lymphedema, a combination of these surgical procedures may be performed. During the perioperative period of hospitalization, lymphatic-care is provided by a lymphatic therapist as needed. Postoperative course is evaluated by not only surgeons but also, by therapists through LYMPHEDEMA Clinic and LYMPHATIC-CARE Clinic.

At our facility, lymphatic therapists and surgeons who specialize in lymphedema work together to provide team medical care for lymphedema patients based on the best scientific practice so that a more reliable effect can be obtained by combining the complex physical therapies and surgical treatments.
(update 8/1/2019)

 
  1. What we do