RADICAL EXCISION AND DELAYED RECONSTRUCTION OF A LYMPHEDEMATOUS LEG WITH A 15 YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Abstract

An adult female patient with primary lymphedema of the lower extremity was treated withtotal excision of the subcutaneous tissues followed by delayed reconstruction with a giant fullthickness skin graft taken from the excised surgical specimen. The leg has maintainedexcellent function and contour over the ensuing 15 years. A small area on the dorsum of thefoot that initially was covered with a split thickness skin graft required subsequent regraftingusing abdominal skin. This area developed verrucoid changes.