Lymphorrhea responds to negative pressure wound therapy

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Wound Management
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Lymphoceles and lymph fistulas are frequent complications following femoral exposure in vascular procedures.
• These complications can necessitate patient readmission and prolonged recovery.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Observation:

• Three patients experiencing lymphocele or lymph fistula after vascular interventions were treated with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
• Initial NPWT in-hospital achieved adequate control of fluid drainage.
• Patients were subsequently discharged with portable suction units for continued outpatient management.

Findings:

• The mean duration to achieve cessation of lymph leakage was 14 days.
• The average length of hospital stay was reduced to 7.3 days.
• NPWT facilitated early control of wound drainage and accelerated wound closure.

Implications:

• NPWT offers a promising approach for managing lymphatic complications post-vascular surgery.
• Outpatient management with portable NPWT units enhances patient convenience and may expedite return to work.
• This strategy has the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs through shorter hospitalizations.