Effect of Lymphovenous Anastomosis on Lower Limb Lymphedema: Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Lower-limb lymphedema (LLL) causes chronic swelling, pain, recurrent infections and impaired quality of life. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is standard care, yet many patients have persistent disease. Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) is a super-microsurgical procedure that diverts lymph into the venous system, but robust randomised evidence in LLL is lacking

This multicentre pragmatic randomised trial will test whether lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) can reduce lower-limb lymphedema and improve life quality in adults who have completed Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). The study is carried out at two Danish university hospitals that routinely manage complex lymphedema. A computer system assigns participants in a 1:1 ratio to either LVA plus compression care or compression care alone. Surgeons create as many anastomoses as possible under general anaesthesia, using indocyanine green mapping to find suitable lymphatic vessels.

Adults aged 18 years or older with International Society of Lymphology stage (ISL) 1 or 2a lymphedema of one or both legs can join if they have finished CDT. Key exclusions are stage 2b or 3 disease, body-mass index (BMI) above 28, active cancer, severe medical illness, or prior lymphedema surgery.

The primary outcome is the change in L-Dex ratio, from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes measured at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months include limb volume by tape, perometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, infection frequency, lymphoscintigraphy findings, quality-of-life scores (Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL) and EuroQol Five Dimension Five Level (EQ-5D-5L)) and use of compression garments. At 12 months the patency of the anastomoses is checked with indocyanine green lymphography in the surgical arm. A small substudy in ten surgical participants will compare inflammatory markers and tissue structure in paired skin biopsies collected during surgery and again 6 months later.

Participants attend the clinic for baseline, 6-month and 12-month visits and return at 24 months for long-term follow-up. Conservative measures such as compression garments may continue (but not reduced in 12 months for LVA-group), but no other surgical or medical lymphedema procedures are allowed during the study period.

All data are entered into a secure electronic database and analysed according to Good Clinical Practice, the Danish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The regional research ethics committee has approved the protocol, and participants are covered by the Danish public patient-compensation scheme. Results will be published in peer reviewed journals no matter whether LVA shows benefit, harm or no difference.

Inclusion criteria

• LLL International Society of Lymphology (ISL) stage 1-2a (both primary and secondary lymphedema and both unilateral and bilateral)
• Cancer-free with no recurrence for at least one year
• Age 18 or above
• Circumference of the affected leg is at least 1 cm larger than the non-lymphedema leg at the most affected site of lymphedema.
• Proficiency in Danish language, and ability to provide informed consent.
• Dermal Backflow Stage 0-4

Exclusion criteria

• LLL International Society of Lymphology (ISL) stage 2b-3
• Medical conditions contraindicating surgical intervention or anesthesia, such as severe heart or lung disease
• Allergy to ICG
• Ongoing infections or skin diseases in the affected limb
• Previous surgery or other treatment modalities that could interfere with the study results (previous LVA, liposuction or similar).
• Dermal Backflow Stage 5
• Active cancer
• Heart or kidney conditions that can cause leg swelling
• A BMI above 28 kg/m²
• Current smoker
• Any foreign objects in the lower extremities (e.g., metal implants, prostheses)
• Venous insufficiency Unilateral weakness in the lower extremity (e.g., after a stroke)
• Known iodine allergy (contraindication for ICG injection)
• Leg length discrepancy (anisomelia) > 1.5 cm