Our Aster Advanced Centre for Lymphedema was dedicated to offering thorough, patient-centered care for the management and treatment of lymphedema. Patients can improve mobility, reduce swelling, and improve their quality of life with the aid of advanced therapies, skilled multidisciplinary teams, and compassionate support.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is know as the build-up of lymph, a fluid rich in proteins, in a specific area of the body. Just as our body’s circulatory system contains arteries and veins which carry blood across our body, the lymphatic system contain lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes to transport water, protein and immune cells across the body. When there is a damage or block to this system, the said lymph fluid accumulates in that body part.
How does one develop lymphedema?
There are many causes for lymphedema namely
Congenital - due to genetic disorder, the individual has an underdeveloped lymphatic system
Infection - commonly due to a filarial parasite spread by mosquitoes
Cancer- As part of cancer treatment, lymph nodes are often removed or irradiated causing a block in the lymphatic of a particular limb. Following are the common cancers which can cause lymphedema
- Breast cancer
- Gynaecological cancers like endometrial or ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
Trauma - Any trauma or accidents which destroys lymph nodes nodes or vessels can cause lymphedema
What are the symptoms of lymphedema?
- Swelling (commonly of arm or the leg)
- Fat deposition
- Repeated infections
- Thickening of the skin
- Leakage of fluid from the skin
- Chronic wounds
- Elephantiasis
What are the treatment options for lymphedema?
We can treat lymphedema conservatively or through surgical means
CDT :
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a mild massage that encourages lymph flow into the lymph nodes, is a component of complete decongestive therapy. This is followed by compression bandaging, skin care and exercises. This is done by trained therapists with exceptional predictable results
Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis :
This is a minimally invasive surgery with a small incision, lymphatic vessels are surgically attached to a vein with the help of super microsurgery done by our team of skilled microsurgeons. This drains the lymph fluid and shows excellent long term results.
Vascularised Lymph node transfer :
Healthy working Lymph nodes with their intact blood supply is transplanted into the lymphedematous limb and attached with microsurgery. Patients with almost non-existenta lymphatics can benefit from this proven procedure.
Liposuction :
Through small key hole incisions, the excess fluid along with fat is sucked out and patient maintains the results with compression garments
Reduction surgeries :
After reduction of the fluid component, excess skin can be surgically removed to give the patient much better functionality and cosmoses
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