What is lymphedema? Lymphedema is lymphatic reflux disorder, which is most common in the lower limbs. It is caused by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the subcutaneous tissue due to the obstruction of lymphatic fluid reflux, which then causes fibroplasia, fibrosis of adipose tissue, gradual swelling of the limbs, and even thickening and roughness of the skin like elephant skin, so it is also called “elephantiasis”. What are the causes of lymphedema? One type of lymphatic vessel development abnormality is rarely seen clinically, which is called primary lymphedema. The other is the obstruction of lymphatic vessels due to various causes, such as filarial infection, post-radiation tumor, and post-operative lymphatic dissection. What are the manifestations of lymphedema? 1. Edema stage: The lymphatic fluid reflux is obstructed, the pressure in the lymphatic vessels is increased, the lymphatic vessels are dilated and distorted, tissue fluid and proteins gather in the tissue interstitial space, and the tissues are depressed and edematous. 2. Lipoproliferative phase: edema persists, and under the stimulation of lipid components, macrophages and adipocytes phagocytose the lipids within the lymphatic fluid, subcutaneous adipose tissue proliferates, and edema has transitioned to non-depressed. 3. Fibroplasia stage: skin thickening, surface hyperkeratosis, roughness, hardness like elephant skin, and even warty hyperplasia, lymphatic fistula, and ulcers. What are the treatment options? 1.Non-surgical therapy general treatment: including elevation of the affected limb, wearing elastic stockings, restricting water and salt intake, using diuretics, and preventing infection. 2.Physical therapy: electric radiation heat treatment device and oven method. 3.Surgical therapy: total subcutaneous excision implantation; dermal flap embedding; large omentum transplantation with tissues; lymphovascular-venous anastomosis or lymph node-venous anastomosis.