Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis (LVA)
Anaesthetic
General anaesthetic
Surgery Time
2 Hours
Drains
No
Recovery garments
Compression garments starting 2-weeks after surgery
Hospital stay
No
Follow-up
1 week and 2 weeks after discharge
Return to desk-based work
1-2 weeks
Return to driving
2-4 weeks
Return to sport
6-8 weeks
Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis (LVA)
Lymphoedema can be a challenging side effect of cancer treatment and can result in permanent swelling of the limb and an increased risk of skin infections. Whilst the mainstays of lymphoedema treatment involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, meticulous skin care and compression garment therapy novel surgical techniques, such as LVA, can have a positive effect in reducing limb swelling.
LVA works by bypassing the lymphatic channels within the limb into adjacent veins to offload the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in patients who have lymphoedema. Assessing your suitability for LVA includes imaging to assess other factors that might contribute to limb swelling and fluorescent imaging to assess the pattern of lymphatic flow within the affected limb. As a technique, it is best suited to patients who have only had lymphoedema for a short time as, once the condition progresses, LVA may not be the best option for you.