Intérêt de la résection cutanée après réduction volumétrique par physiothérapie décongestive des lymphœdèmes primitifs volumineux des membres inférieurs

Treatment of lymphedema is based upon decongestive physiotherapy including low stretch bandages. We reported 3 cases of huge primary lymphedema of lower limb treated with cutaneous resection after decongestive physiotherapy. Two men and a woman (47, 48, 48 years old) had unilateral right lymphedema which appeared at the age of 38, 38 and 37 years. Patients were hospitalized and treated during 3 to 5 weeks with decongestive physiotherapy and then followed by one (n = 2) or two cutaneous (n = 1) resections. Lymphedema volume calculated with the method of truncated cones decreased of 32, 38 and 59%. Largest differences between the two calves were 54, 38 and 57 cm before treatment and 17, 9 and 12 cm after treatment. Cutaneous resections on external side of the calf were longitudinal without complications. Lymphedema volume remained stable after 24, 6 and 12 months with two superposed elastic stockings and regular self bandaging. (J Mal Vasc 2005; 30: 181-185)