Treatment of lymphatic complications after common femoral artery endarterectomy

Abstract Objectives This study analyzes the outcome of lymphatic complications after a standard vascular procedure. Methods This is a retrospective study including patients who had a lymphatic complication after endarterectomy and patch of the common femoral artery in our clinic between March 2007 and June 2018. Therapy of choice was selected according to wound situation and amount of lymphatic liquid. If signs of a wound infection occurred, a surgical therapy was performed, in all other cases a non-surgical treatment (conservative treatment, radiotherapy) was chosen. Results We performed 977 index operations, a lymphatic complication occurred in 112 cases (11.5%). In 69 cases the lymphatic complication presented as lymphatic fistula (Group 1), in 43 cases as lymphorrhea from the wound (Group 2). Non-surgical treatment was done in 66 cases (Group 1 76.8% vs. Group 2 30.2%; P Conclusion The therapy of lymphatic complications should be done in accordance with clinical symptoms. A non-surgical treatment is often sufficient. However, in cases of a wound infection different surgical treatments are necessary.