Lymphatic fistulas: obliteration by low-dose radiotherapy

摘要: BACKGROUND: Lymphatic drainage from the surgical wound is an uncommon but challenging complication of intervention. Protracted lymphorrhea contributes to morbidity, favors infections and results in a prolonged hospital stay. Treatment options include ligation and, more conservatively, leg elevation, continuous local pressure, subatmospheric pressure dressings, low-dose radiotherapy. This study examines efficacy PATIENTS AND METHODS: 17 patients (19 fistulas) with following vena saphena harvesting (n = 7), femoropopliteal bypass 3), varicose vein surgery 2), hip arthroplasty 3; five fistulas), shunt 1), piercing 1) were referred for external Depending on depth fistula, orthovoltage 12), electrons (4-11 MeV; n 2) or photons (8 MV; 3) used. Fractions between 0.3 Gy 2 applied; individual total dose depended success radiotherapy, i. e., obliteration lymph varied 1 12 Gy. RESULTS: In 13 out complete fistula was achieved. Interestingly, this achieved nine ten irradiated doses