Emmanuil Kondoleon: pioneer in surgical treatment for lymphedema

Our era is characterized by the rapid improvements in treatment in all areas of medicine. But we should not forget those pioneers who, with their medical actions and inspiration, changed the course of their era and left their mark on medical history. One of those is the Greek surgeon Emmanuil Kondoleon (1879-1940). His brilliant scientific personality, numerous teaching activities, and his notable publications made him a distinguished Professor of Surgical Pathology. At the beginning of the 20th century, when very little was known about lymphedema and especially its treatment, Emmanuil Kondoleon arrived on the scene with his own original technique that led the surgical treatment of lymphedema for more than 50 years. Made famous as Kondoleon's procedure, his technique included wide excision of the fascia and concomitant partial excision of the hypertrophic tissue. Such important personalities as Kondoleon set great examples in medical history and inspire future young generations of physicians.