A B S T R A C TPurpose: Lymphoedema is a chronic condition, a cancer consequence and causes physical, psychological, and social implications. A new super-micro surgical treatment Lymphatic Venous Anastomosis (LVA) may improve the symptoms of lymphoedema. This study aims to explore the impact of lymphoedema on individuals and if LVA Surgery changes perceptions on quality of life. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen individual's pre-LVA surgery and repeated six months later post-LVA with ten of the participants. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Themes identified pre-LVA included: Impact of Living with Lymphoedema, Being Different, and Future Hopes and Emotions. Participants reported making significant changes to 'normal' life due to living with lymphoedema. Changes included alteration in shopping, cleaning, hobbies, familial roles, employment and sexual intimacy. The wearing of compression garments engendered feelings of being unattractive. Themes found post-LVA were: I am one of the Lucky Ones and Returning to Former Self. Post-LVA, participants described how life had become more normalised with fear and apprehension of developing cellulitis reduced. Positive changes had enabled usual activities of daily living to recommence. Some participants had decreased pain, aching, heaviness, stiffness and were wearing their compression garments less. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the real impact of living with lymphoedema is much more challenging than previously identified. The findings suggest that LVA can give a future of greater choice for some of its recipients, but further research should explore longer-term benefits. LVA could offer hope to some people with lymphoedema, but a realistic expectation is essential.

Twenty-four percent of adults (age 16 and over) in England are classified as obese. This represents an increase from 15% in 1993. (NHS Information Centre, 2008). As obesity rates increase across the UK lymphoedema services face increasing numbers of obese patients in their clinics. This short article will explore some ideas of how we manage this patient group at present in our lymphoedema service.

Lymphoedema in children and young people (CYP) can cause significant impact affecting physical, psychological and social wellbeing. This audit of 286 CYP with Lymphoedema (2015–2018) is the first national cohort reported and provides new information on patient reported outcome (PROM) changes over time. Conservative therapy produced statistically significant change in outcome measures relating to swelling, infection, appearance and compression garments. Almost half of the children had primary lymphoedema of varying types. An overall prevalence of 31 per 100 000 CYP with lymphoedema was found among a population aged 0–25 over a 3-year period. This finding suggests a higher occurrence of lymphoedema in children and young people than previously reported and is important for service planning and health professionals' education.