Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.
2010 Oct;43(5):562-564.
Vacuum-assisted Closure for the Treatment of Lymphorrhea Following Surgery of the Femoral Artery
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Korea. yw2525@schmc.ac.kr
Abstract
- Lymphorrhea is a common complication after inguinal dissection for exposure of the femoral artery. Injury of the lymphatics occurs frequently because they are anatomically close to blood vessels. Uncontrolled lymph drainage increases postoperative morbidity, and wound infection may follow. Despite current treatment options, lymphorrhea after inguinal dissection is still difficult to manage and results in a prolonged hospital stay. A vacuum-assisted closure device was used in a 72-year-old woman who had lymphorrhea after vascular surgery by groin incision. Vacuum-assisted control for lymphorrhea resulted in earlier closure of the wound and reduced the length of hospital stay.