Lymphoedema Surgery Australia

The Australian team Kerryn (2nd left) Helen (3rd left) and Joseph (centre) with Professor Brorson and his team in Malmo Sweden 2008

There are two different types of lymphoedema, primary or secondary.

Primary lymphoedema is following the congenital abnormaility of the lymphatic system and secondary lymphoedema is due to the secondary disease causing the destruction of regional lymph nodes both as a result in the lymphatic fluid not flowing properly and as a consequence leads to a heavy, enlarged limb(s).

The secondary lymphoedema is commonly as a result of radical cancer surgery, such as Breast cancer with auxiliary lymph nodes clearance or pelvic cancer, gynaecological cancers or may be due to lymphoma and treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Patients with chronic lymphoedema are managed by specialized lymphatic drainage massage & compression bandaging, and controlled by lifelong wearing of compression garmentsand self management, but some lymphoedema sufferers will continue to have large, heavy limb(s).

In 2008 & 2010 the Lymphoedema Australia Surgical Team, under the leadership of Dr Helen Mackie, have received specialised training in the assessment, pre-surgical treatment, liposuction technique and the post-surgical and long term management of selected single limb lymphoedema sufferers. This training was undertaken in Malmo, Sweden under the instruction of Professor Brorson and his team. Professor Brorson developed this management technique and has successfully treated over 120 selected lymphoedema sufferers over more than 15 years. Professor Brorson has trained teams in Denmark, Scotland, Singapore and the USA.

Through the careful selection of surgical canditattes and a comprehensive management programme that 100% reduction of the lymphoedema affected arm or leg is achieved. Previous or occasional attempts using liposuction for lymphoedema have failed because this comprehensive management developed by Professor Brorson has not been understood or applied.

Liposuction for lymphoedema does not treat the lymphoedema itself but it removes the fatty tissue in the limb which has developed because of the chronic lymphoedema. Compression is mandatory after liposuction to prevent lymph fluid from expanding the limb again. The compression garment is more effective when the limb is reduced to normal size.

Lymphoedema practitioners, accredited in training by the Australasian lymphology Association, are listed in the National Lymphoedema Practitioner Register at www.nlpr.asn.au. Further information about lymphoedema can be found at www.lymphology.asn.au