The quality of life after lymphaticovenous anastomosis in 118 lower limb lymphedema patients

Background: This is prospective study on 118 patients who underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) due to the secondary lower limb lymphedema between January 2018 and October 2020 evaluate patients’ quality of life (QOL) using LYMQoL questionnaire. Methods: The outcome measurement included leg scoring system tool evaluating function, appearance, symptom, mood overall outcome. In addition, correlation analysis was performed for 3 factors: based ISL stages, disease duration amount volume reduction. Results: satisfaction score significantly increased at all intervals from 4.4±0.2 preoperative 6.5±0.3 postoperative 12 months (p<0.001). Significant findings were seen each domain scores compared preoperatively months; Function (18.6±0.5 15.4±0.6), appearance (17.8±0.5 16.0±0.6), symptom (11.8±0.3 8.9±0.4) (14.5±0.4 11.4±0.5) (p<0.05). improvement stage (p=0.610, coefficient(r)=-0.047), (p=0.659, r=-0.041) reduction (p=0.454, r=-0.070) showed no statistical significance. Conclusion: QOL improved after LVA regardless severity disease, LVA. Understanding PROM will help surgeons manage guide expectations patients.