Evaluation of different surgical procedures in filarial lymphoedema of lower extremity
Dandapat, M.C.; Mukherjee, L.M.; Patra, S.K.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association 89(5): 127-129
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5847 PMID: 1748777 Document Number: 377391
The different surgical methods used to treat lymphoedema of 1- to 21-years duration in 96 filariasis patients in Berhampur, India, are evaluated. 24 patients with early lymphoedema (stage II) were subjected to lymphonodovenous shunt operation, 54 with late lymphoedema and skin changes (stage IV) to Charles' operation and 18 with late lymphoedema without skin changes (stage III) to either Thompson's or Sistrunk's operation. The lymphonodovenous shunt gave rapid post-operative relief of oedema followed by slow reduction; Charles' operation gave immediate volume reduction and the take-up of grafting was 84%; Thompson's operation was not satisfactory. Post-operative complications were few but were most noticeable following Charles' operation. It is concluded that whereas excisional surgery becomes necessary in late stages which progressed to elephantiasis, nodovenous shunt alone is sufficient in the early stages.