[Assessment of the results of surgical treatment of lymphedema based on computerized tomography]

The possibilities of computed tomographic appraisal of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the soft tissues in lymphedema of the lower limbs were studied in comparison with the results of pre- and postoperative examination of 21 out of 86 patients with Stage II-IV lymphedema. There were 4 males and 17 females, whose ages ranged from 16 to 41 years. In postoperative periods of 2 weeks to 6.5 years 45 computed tomographic studies were conducted. It was shown that computed tomography is an objective basis for appraising the qualitative and quantitative changes in the soft tissues of the limbs in follow-up patients with lymphedema after creation of lymphovenous anastomoses. The examination confirms objectively functioning of the lymphovenous anastomoses after disappearance of supra- and subfascial edema and diminution and even normalization of the thickness of the subcutaneous fat.