Our Procedures: Surgical Treatment of Lymphedema

Lymphedema treatment at Johns Hopkins depends on the severity and extent of your condition. At the onset of lymphedema, your doctor may recommend decongestive treatment including exercise, compression bandages, diet modifications, an arm pump, infection prevention or elevating the limb. If swelling persists, surgical intervention may be recommended. Surgical interventions to prevent and control lymphedema play an key role in improving overall function and quality of life, as there is no cure for this condition.

Why Choose Johns Hopkins for Surgical Treatment of Lymphedema?

Johns Hopkins lymphedema surgeons use state-of-the-art surgical lymphedema treatment approaches, including lymphovenous bypass and lymph node transfer. Our continued focus on conducting research to maximize success rates keeps our surgeons on the forefront of biomedical discovery in the field of lymphedema.

Surgical Expertise

Surgery for lymphedema requires not just a skilled and experienced surgeon but also a team of doctors and nurses. From the first consultation to the final check-up, our reconstructive surgeons make themselves available and accessible to patients and their families.

Compassionate Care

Our surgeons are devoted to their profession and to providing attentive patient care, making themselves available and accessible to patients and their families.

Advanced Research

Our surgeons participate in and often lead in advanced research that leads to better patient outcomes.

Multidisciplinary Approach

Our surgeons work alongside their colleagues in additional specialties cross the Johns Hopkins network to offer our patients the most comprehensive care.

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New and existing patients can schedule by phone using this number: 443-997-9466

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the lymphatic system

Surgical Treatment Options

Vascularized lymph node transfer surgery (lymphovenous transplant)

During this minimally invasive outpatient procedure, green dye is injected into the patient to identify functioning lymph nodes in part of the body, typically the abdomen, and transplanted into the area of the body with lymphatic obstruction. The properly functioning lymph nodes stimulate the growth of new lymph nodes. The surgical procedure takes approximately four hours and patients are usually released from the hospital within 24 hours. It is important to note that this surgery is not a cure for lymphedema, but rather an effective management tool.

Laparascopic omental lymph node transfer (omental transplant)

Laparoscopic omental lymph node transfer can also be preformed. The omentum is a sheet of fat that has lymph nodes in the abdomen. This procedure is minimally invasive and can be done in patients who have undergone previous abdominal surgeries. Like the lymphovenous transplant, this is an inpatient procedure with a recovery time of a few days before resuming regular activity.

the lymphatic system

Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (also referred to as lymphovenous bypass)

Our surgeons reroute the lymphatic system directly to the venous system, bypassing the damaged nodes and connecting the lymphatic channels directly into tiny, almost microscopic veins. This is an outpatient procedure with very small and minimal incisions and very little blood loss. This procedure can significantly reduce the swelling and, in some cases, return the limb to normal function.

Other procedures that may be recommended include liposuction, where the affected tissue can be removed, or the Charles procedure, where affected tissue is removed and our surgeons use part of it as skin grafts to repair the area.

Patient Resources

Lymphedema Therapists

Our certified lymphedema therapists use a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, bandaging and complete decongestive therapy. They also provide recommendations for off-the-shelf and custom compression garments. You can find them at many of the Johns Hopkins rehabilitation therapy clinic locations, including Odenton, White Marsh, Lutherville and Baltimore.

Learn more

Our Lymphedema Surgeons

  • Salih Colakoglu, M.D.

    • Assistant Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Damon Sean Cooney, M.D., Ph.D.

    • Clinical Director, Face Transplant Program, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center
    • Clinical Co-Director, Penile Transplantation, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center
    • Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Michele Manahan, M.D.

    • Assistant Medical Director for the Johns Hopkins Office of Telemedicine
    • Department Vice Chair for Faculty and Staff Development and Well-Being and Past Department Director of Patient Safety
    • Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Lily Mundy, M.D.

    • Assistant Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Gedge David Rosson, M.D.

    • Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Facial Palsy Center
    • Director of Breast Reconstruction
    • Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Associate Professor of Oncology

Physician Assistant

Olga Duclos, PA-C, MSHS

Specialty: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – General and Cosmetic Reconstruction, Surgical Oncology, Breast Reconstruction, Lymphedema

Education & Training: PA Surgical Residency, Johns Hopkins Hospital; M.S., Physician Assistant, Touro College; B.S., Health Science, Touro College, B.S., Psychology, Stony Brook University

Olga Duclos, PA-C, MSHS