[Therapeutic principles of lymphostasis of the extremities]

After a short reminder of the posological classification of the lymphoedema of the limbs, the author describes the channels of lymphatic return and their anatomical structure. The medication of lymphostasis aims to increase the lymphatic flow. It is often the association of the various forms of medication (antialdosterone-benzopyrones) that leads to the increased lymphatic evacuation. The so-called conservative methods try to recover a physiological site for the lymphatic reflux. Incision of the fibrous cicatrices, instrumental expulsion of the oedema and, the preferred method, manual lymphatic drainage, associated with a suitable form of compression, are amongst the steps to be taken. Surgery of lymphoedema is today still, as a rule, a mutilating procedure, although often necessary. Excision and drainage are however being replaced by techniques of lymphovenous anastomosis.