The gold standard for lymphedema treatment is Complex/Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which combines conservative (non-surgical) treatments like Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and compression therapy.
Surgical options may be explored if conservative therapies fail to adequately address lymphedema symptoms. Usually, therapy with compression garments is continued after the surgery for a specific time.
Surgery may also be necessary in the following cases:
- Severe swelling and deformities
- Excessive soft tissue after successful decongestion therapy
- Recurrent cases of bacterial cellulitis
- Lymphedema at the eyelid or genitals
- Long-term complications, such as lymphangiosarcoma
- Connections between the lymphatic system and the skin (lymphocutaneous fistula)