Lymphedema treatment Paris

Lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by edema or swelling caused by an abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid in a part of the body. Lymphatic fluid is also called “lymph”.

There are two types of lymphedema:

primary lymphedema, which is present at birth or appears later for unknown reasons. This type of lymphedema is rare.
secondary or iatrogenic lymphedema, which generally appears after cancer treatment, including surgery, lymph node dissection and radiotherapy, or as a consequence of venous insufficiency and obesity.
Lymphedema is treated by microsurgical lymph node transfer to restore lymphatic drainage to the affected area.

Dr Corinne BECKER is an internationally recognized pioneer in the surgical treatment of lymphedema using autologous lymph node transfer.

Dr Ralph ABBOU and Dr Rachel PESSIS are two plastic surgeons based in Paris.

Together, they decided to combine their skills and create a medical-surgical center dedicated to the treatment of lymphedema in Paris.

For any inquiry please send us a whatsapp message + 33 7 56 86 66 55 or an email at [email protected]

Before and after photos of lymphedema treatment in Paris

What are the symptoms of lymphedema ?

The main symptom of the lymphedema is the flow of the part of the corps attended.

The other symptoms are present:

feeling of heaviness or stiffness
pain
tightness of the skin
reduced flexibility or mobility of the affected body part;
feeling that clothes or jewelry are too tight

Who are the patients at risk for lymphedema ?

Anyone who has had surgery, trauma, or who suffers from chronic venous insufficiency or morbid obesity is at risk for lymphedema.

Radiation therapy increases the risk.

People who have had surgery in the armpit or groin are particularly at risk, including lymph node dissection after cancer.

What are the complications ?

Risks of infection or development of wounds
Chronic disabling pain
Reduced mobility
Dependency

How to diagnose lymphedema ?

Clinical examination in medical consultation
Lymphatic MRI is the examination of choice to determine the indication for surgery, new lymphatic vessels, transplanted lymph nodes and the evolution of lymphatic vessel growth.
The results observed by isotopic lymphangiography show the absorption of the contrast fluid but, compared to lymphatic MRI, they give little information on the rest of the network

Treatment of lymphedema by microsurgery

Lymph node transfer

Autologous lymph node transfer, also called microsurgical lymph node vascularis transfer, involves the transfer of a few healthy lymph nodes from a donor site to the affected area in order to restore lymphatic function in the limb.

Autologous lymph node transfer has many advantages.

40% definitive normalization
98% improvement
2% no result
No worsening of lymphedema
Growth of new lymphatic vessels is visible on MRI, 1 year after lymph node transfer in the treated area
Significant improvement in all cases but never complete cure
98% improvement, but never complete normalization
Reduction in infections

Complementary treatments for lymphedema

Physiotherapy: Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy
Band Compression
Compression Garments
Physical Exercise

Everything you need to know about treating lymphedema

What is lymph?

Like blood, lymph circulates throughout the human body. It carries white blood cells, antibodies and nutrients and participates in the elimination of waste, the maintenance of fluid balance in the body as well as immune defense.