Research progress of supermicrosurgical lymphatic vein anastomosis in limb lymphedema

Limb lymphedema is a chronic progressive disease of the lymphatic system that seriously affects the physical and mental health of patients. Supermicrosurgical lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) can significantly improve the symptoms of early lymphedema and is regarded as a promising therapeutic option. However, this technology also faces many challenges, with only about 15% of patients receiving treatment each year, and 30% of patients progressing to refractory edema. The reported treatment efficacy vary greatly among different institutes. In this article, we review the development history, treatment status, and challenges faced by supermicrosurgical LVA in limb lymphedema, providing reference for clinical practice.