As a surgeon, it is my duty and ultimate goal to restore patient’s physical functions, cosmesis and their quality of life. I attended my second lymphedema microsurgery panel discussion – “An algorithmic approach to deciding which lymphedema surgery a patient needs” in the morning, January 14. This topic is exceptionally important to me as the focus is on the patients’ needs, instead of from the surgeons’ perspectives. When I evaluate the procedures for my lymphedema patients, there are two key factors: 1. maximal functional recovery (lymphedema limb becomes softer, smaller, less cellulitis, and no need to wear compression garments). 2. minimal complication, especially on the donor site complication. All the penal presenters, we as a team, work so hard to bring best solutions to the most challenging lymphedema diseases and hopefully provide a new direction of lymphedema treatment.
