Patient-reported outcomes following lymph reconstructive surgery in lower limb lymphedema: A systematic review of literature

Grünherz, Lisanne; Hulla, Heike; Uyulmaz, Semra; Giovanoli, Pietro; Lindenblatt, Nicole

doi:10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.11.022

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This similar finding was also reported in a systemic review looking at QOL after lymphedema surgery for the lower limb. 2 Finally, when looking at the correlation based on the amount of limb volume reduction, there was no significant correlation between the improvement of the overall score and the amount of volume reduction. Although one can assume that satisfaction may be closely related to the amount of improvement, there was no significant correlation between improvement of limb volume after LVA and QOL in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“… 7 27 However, even with using these, most of the reports focused on the upper limb lymphedema and lacks studies focused on the lower extremity. 2 19 27 Thus, this PROM study was designed to include a large patient pool who underwent LVA to evaluate the QOL and to further provide meaningful insight through correlation analysis and subgroup analysis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[17][18][19] The small number of participants also makes it difficult to obtain meaningful subcategory and subgroup analysis for further insight. [2] For example, will the response be different from patients who had long duration of lymphedema versus shorter duration or patients who had better volume reduction This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lower limb lymphedema, in particular, often occurs after gynecological or genitourinary malignancies with an increased risk for patients undergoing pelvic dissections and radiation therapy. 2 3 4 The sense of heaviness, early tiredness, and other symptoms caused by swelling can limit the patient's daily activities. 5 In advanced cases, the skin begins to change causing fibrosis, leathery texture, elephantiasis (warty hyperkeratotic cobblestone appearance) which leads to the formation of fissures and discharge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The Quality of Life after Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis in 118 Lower Limb Lymphedema Patients

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: This is prospective study on 118 patients who underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) due to the secondary lower limb lymphedema between January 2018 and October 2020 to evaluate patients’ quality of life (QOL) using the LYMQoL questionnaire. Methods: The outcome measurement included LYMQoL leg scoring system tool evaluating the function, appearance, symptom, mood and overall outcome. In addition, correlation analysis was performed for 3 factors: based on ISL stages, disease duration and amount of volume reduction. Results: The LYMQoL tool overall satisfaction score significantly increased at all intervals from 4.4±0.2 preoperative to 6.5±0.3 postoperative at 12 months (p<0.001). Significant findings were seen for each domain scores compared preoperatively and at 12 months; Function score (18.6±0.5 to 15.4±0.6), appearance score (17.8±0.5 to 16.0±0.6), symptom score (11.8±0.3 to 8.9±0.4) and mood score (14.5±0.4 to 11.4±0.5) (p<0.05). The correlation analysis between improvement of overall score and the ISL stage (p=0.610, correlation coefficient(r)=-0.047), disease duration (p=0.659, r=-0.041) and amount of limb volume reduction (p=0.454, r=-0.070) showed no statistical significance. Conclusion: The QOL of secondary lower limb lymphedema patients were significantly improved after LVA regardless of severity of disease, duration of disease and amount of volume reduction after LVA. Understanding the PROM will help the surgeons to manage and guide the expectations of the patients.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Quality of Life after Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis in 118 Lower Limb Lymphedema Patients

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We previously performed a thorough analysis according to the Consensusbased Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments of existing lymphedema-specific PROMs for patients with lower limb lymphedema (LLL) and identified the Lymphoedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Lower Limb Lymphoedema (LYMPH-ICF-LL) as superior in terms of its psychometric properties. 12,13 Based on a similar approach, Beelen et al claimed that none of the lymphedema-specific PROMs for patients with upper limb lymphedema (ULL) met methodological quality standards and thus, they developed the LYMPH-Q Upper Extremity Module. [14][15][16] After translating the LYMPH-Q into German, we recently demonstrated that patients with arm lymphedema experience significant improvements of function, symptoms and psychological well-being after lymphatic reconstructive surgery, regardless of lymphedema grade, age, BMI, or comorbidities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PROMs after Lymphatic Reconstructive Surgery: Is There a Correlation between Volume Reduction and Quality of Life?

Grünherz

Barbon

Gousopoulos

et al. 2023

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Patients with upper limb lymphedema and lower limb lymphedema experience a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms that affect quality of life. The benefits of lymphatic reconstructive surgery for patients with lymphedema are undisputed. However, recording volume reduction alone may be insufficient with regard to postoperative outcome because measurements are often inadequate, depend on many factors, and do not reflect improvement in quality of life. Methods: We conducted a prospective single center study patients receiving lymphatic reconstructive surgery. Patients received volume measurements preoperatively and at standardized postoperative intervals. To evaluate patient-reported outcomes, patients completed the following questionnaires: LYMPH-Q Upper Extremity Module, quickDASH, SF 36, Lymphoedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Lower Limb Lymphoedema, and Lower Extremity Functional Scale at the aforementioned intervals. Results: We included 55 patients with upper limb lymphedema (24%) and lower limb lymphedema (73%) of lymphedema grades I-III. Patients received lymphovenous anastomosis only (23%), free vascularized lymph node transfer (35%) or a combination of both (42%). Analysis of patient-reported outcome measurements revealed improvements with respect to a broad range of complaints, particularly physical function, symptoms, and psychological well-being. There was no correlation between the extent of volume reduction and improvement in quality of life (Pearson correlation coefficient below ±0.7; P > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on a broad range of outcome measurements, we observed an improved quality of life in almost all patients, even in those without measurable volume loss of the extremity operated on, which emphasizes the need for a standardized use of patient-reported outcome measures to evaluate the benefits of lymphatic reconstructive surgery.

show abstract

Patient-reported outcomes: A primer for plastic surgeons

Talwar,

Niu,

Broach

et al. 2023

Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Patient-reported outcomes following lymph reconstructive surgery in lower limb lymphedema: A systematic review of literature

Cited by 12 publications

References 46 publications

The Quality of Life after Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis in 118 Lower Limb Lymphedema Patients

The Quality of Life after Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis in 118 Lower Limb Lymphedema Patients

PROMs after Lymphatic Reconstructive Surgery: Is There a Correlation between Volume Reduction and Quality of Life?

Patient-reported outcomes: A primer for plastic surgeons

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About