SURGICAL CORRECTION OF LYMPHEDEMA

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Abstract
Lymphedema has been defined as a "progressive histopathologic state characterized by a chronic inflammatory fibromatosis or hypertrophy of the hypodermal and dermal connective tissue" (Matas1), or as "a massive overgrowth involving the fibro-connective tissue of the skin, subcutaneous tissue; blood and lymph vessels; with associated muscular degeneration and atrophy affecting the leg (elephant leg), scrotum (lymph scrotum), labia (lymph labia)" (Babcock2). The term "elephantiasis" apparently arose during the Roman army's campaign in Libia (Allen, Barker and Hines3), when natives were captured who had these tremendous swellings of either the leg or scrotum in which not only the size of the part but the contour of the skin reminded the legions' observers of the hide of elephants. Lymphedema may be considered medically as an obstruction or blockage in the lymphatic system that prevents the adequate absorption or return of the lymph fluid—more specifically, in this instance, from the

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