Lymphedema is a condition known to occur postoperatively in 1 in 2 patients with gynecologic cancer including ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. It is a typical complication which involves excessive swelling in a leg and reduces the quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients.

AMC Gynecologic Cancer Center recently became the first in the world to establish a system to perform preventive lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) during gynecologic cancer surgery for patients who are expected to develop severe lymphedema postoperatively. First, tumor and lymph nodes are removed by a surgical team led by Professor Dae Yeon Kim of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Then, a team led by Professor Joon Pio Hong, Professor Hyunsuk Suh, and Professor Changsik Pak of the Department of Plastic Surgery immediately takes over the surgery and performs LVA to reconnect the lymph nodes with the veins, creating a path that facilitates smooth lymph circulation.

In the past, lymphedema was initially controlled by physical therapy such as wearing compression stockings. Surgical procedures including liposuction of a huge swollen site or LVA were performed when a patient’s condition had aggravated. In severe cases, however, surgical outcomes had been poor in approximately half of the patients. Therefore, the quality of life of the patients is expected to improve by performing an operation to simultaneously treat gynecologic cancer and prevent severe lymphedema.