Objective:To investigate the effect of complex decongestive therapy(CDT) on elephantiasis and skin texture improvement.Methods:The clinical data of patients with elephantiasis of lower limbs who were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with elephantiasis of different causes were treated with CDT for 1 course (4 weeks). The skin texture parameters (skin water content, transepidermal water loss, skin fibrosis), limb circumference and segmental edema were measured before and after treatment and analyzed by paired t test. Pearson correlation analysis was used to detect the correlation between segmental edema and skin texture parameters before and after treatment. The subjective feelings of patients were recorded during follow-up. A self-designed online questionnaire was used to follow up the patient’s disease control status, including the limb circumferences, changes in quality of life (life, work, social and emotion), the adaptability to bandages and elastic socks. Data were classified and analysed as excellent, good, medium and poor.Results:A total of 20 patients were included, including 16 females and 4 males. The average age was 50.45 years (ranged 9-70 years). 5 cases were primary lymphedema and 15 cases were secondary lymphedema. The duration of the disease ranged from 2 years to 27 years, with an average of 8.4 years. After 1 course of treatment, the skin texture was significantly improved. The skin water content decreased from 55.6%±7.4% before treatment to 42.1%±7.4% after treatment ( P< 0.001). The transepidermal water loss decreased from (14.981±5.699) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment to (9.312±2.590) g·m -2·h -1 after treatment. The skin fibrosis decreased from (0.087±0.042) N before treatment to (0.065±0.033) N after treatment ( P<0.001). The circumference of the affected limb decreased from (11.09±3.14) cm before treatment to (4.82±2.83)cm after treatment ( P<0.001). The segmental edema decreased from (4.00±2.14)L before treatment to (1.21±0.78) L after treatment. Segmental edema was positively correlated with skin water content, transepidermal water loss, and skin fibrosis ( r=0.447, r=0.429, r=0.751, P<0.05). The patients were followed up for 6 months after treatment. The circumference control was excellent in 13 cases, good in 5 cases and moderate in 2 cases. The quality-of-life changes were excellent in 16 cases, good in 3 cases, medium in 1 case. The adaptability of elastic material was excellent in 9 cases, good in 8 cases, medium in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. Conclusions:CDT can reduce subcutaneous edema, effectively reduce limb volume, decrease skin fibrosis, improve skin barrier function, improve skin texture, restore the appearance of the limb and improve patients’ quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the effect of complex decongestive therapy(CDT) on elephantiasis and skin texture improvement.Methods:The clinical data of patients with elephantiasis of lower limbs who were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with elephantiasis of different causes were treated with CDT for 1 course (4 weeks). The skin texture parameters (skin water content, transepidermal water loss, skin fibrosis), limb circumference and segmental edema were measured before and after treatment and analyzed by paired t test. Pearson correlation analysis was used to detect the correlation between segmental edema and skin texture parameters before and after treatment. The subjective feelings of patients were recorded during follow-up. A self-designed online questionnaire was used to follow up the patient’s disease control status, including the limb circumferences, changes in quality of life (life, work, social and emotion), the adaptability to bandages and elastic socks. Data were classified and analysed as excellent, good, medium and poor.Results:A total of 20 patients were included, including 16 females and 4 males. The average age was 50.45 years (ranged 9-70 years). 5 cases were primary lymphedema and 15 cases were secondary lymphedema. The duration of the disease ranged from 2 years to 27 years, with an average of 8.4 years. After 1 course of treatment, the skin texture was significantly improved. The skin water content decreased from 55.6%±7.4% before treatment to 42.1%±7.4% after treatment ( P< 0.001). The transepidermal water loss decreased from (14.981±5.699) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment to (9.312±2.590) g·m -2·h -1 after treatment. The skin fibrosis decreased from (0.087±0.042) N before treatment to (0.065±0.033) N after treatment ( P<0.001). The circumference of the affected limb decreased from (11.09±3.14) cm before treatment to (4.82±2.83)cm after treatment ( P<0.001). The segmental edema decreased from (4.00±2.14)L before treatment to (1.21±0.78) L after treatment. Segmental edema was positively correlated with skin water content, transepidermal water loss, and skin fibrosis ( r=0.447, r=0.429, r=0.751, P<0.05). The patients were followed up for 6 months after treatment. The circumference control was excellent in 13 cases, good in 5 cases and moderate in 2 cases. The quality-of-life changes were excellent in 16 cases, good in 3 cases, medium in 1 case. The adaptability of elastic material was excellent in 9 cases, good in 8 cases, medium in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. Conclusions:CDT can reduce subcutaneous edema, effectively reduce limb volume, decrease skin fibrosis, improve skin barrier function, improve skin texture, restore the appearance of the limb and improve patients’ quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the effect of complex decongestive therapy(CDT) on elephantiasis and skin texture improvement.Methods:The clinical data of patients with elephantiasis of lower limbs who were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with elephantiasis of different causes were treated with CDT for 1 course (4 weeks). The skin texture parameters (skin water content, transepidermal water loss, skin fibrosis), limb circumference and segmental edema were measured before and after treatment and analyzed by paired t test. Pearson correlation analysis was used to detect the correlation between segmental edema and skin texture parameters before and after treatment. The subjective feelings of patients were recorded during follow-up. A self-designed online questionnaire was used to follow up the patient’s disease control status, including the limb circumferences, changes in quality of life (life, work, social and emotion), the adaptability to bandages and elastic socks. Data were classified and analysed as excellent, good, medium and poor.Results:A total of 20 patients were included, including 16 females and 4 males. The average age was 50.45 years (ranged 9-70 years). 5 cases were primary lymphedema and 15 cases were secondary lymphedema. The duration of the disease ranged from 2 years to 27 years, with an average of 8.4 years. After 1 course of treatment, the skin texture was significantly improved. The skin water content decreased from 55.6%±7.4% before treatment to 42.1%±7.4% after treatment ( P< 0.001). The transepidermal water loss decreased from (14.981±5.699) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment to (9.312±2.590) g·m -2·h -1 after treatment. The skin fibrosis decreased from (0.087±0.042) N before treatment to (0.065±0.033) N after treatment ( P<0.001). The circumference of the affected limb decreased from (11.09±3.14) cm before treatment to (4.82±2.83)cm after treatment ( P<0.001). The segmental edema decreased from (4.00±2.14)L before treatment to (1.21±0.78) L after treatment. Segmental edema was positively correlated with skin water content, transepidermal water loss, and skin fibrosis ( r=0.447, r=0.429, r=0.751, P<0.05). The patients were followed up for 6 months after treatment. The circumference control was excellent in 13 cases, good in 5 cases and moderate in 2 cases. The quality-of-life changes were excellent in 16 cases, good in 3 cases, medium in 1 case. The adaptability of elastic material was excellent in 9 cases, good in 8 cases, medium in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. Conclusions:CDT can reduce subcutaneous edema, effectively reduce limb volume, decrease skin fibrosis, improve skin barrier function, improve skin texture, restore the appearance of the limb and improve patients’ quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the effect of complex decongestive therapy(CDT) on elephantiasis and skin texture improvement.Methods:The clinical data of patients with elephantiasis of lower limbs who were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with elephantiasis of different causes were treated with CDT for 1 course (4 weeks). The skin texture parameters (skin water content, transepidermal water loss, skin fibrosis), limb circumference and segmental edema were measured before and after treatment and analyzed by paired t test. Pearson correlation analysis was used to detect the correlation between segmental edema and skin texture parameters before and after treatment. The subjective feelings of patients were recorded during follow-up. A self-designed online questionnaire was used to follow up the patient’s disease control status, including the limb circumferences, changes in quality of life (life, work, social and emotion), the adaptability to bandages and elastic socks. Data were classified and analysed as excellent, good, medium and poor.Results:A total of 20 patients were included, including 16 females and 4 males. The average age was 50.45 years (ranged 9-70 years). 5 cases were primary lymphedema and 15 cases were secondary lymphedema. The duration of the disease ranged from 2 years to 27 years, with an average of 8.4 years. After 1 course of treatment, the skin texture was significantly improved. The skin water content decreased from 55.6%±7.4% before treatment to 42.1%±7.4% after treatment ( P< 0.001). The transepidermal water loss decreased from (14.981±5.699) g·m -2·h -1 before treatment to (9.312±2.590) g·m -2·h -1 after treatment. The skin fibrosis decreased from (0.087±0.042) N before treatment to (0.065±0.033) N after treatment ( P<0.001). The circumference of the affected limb decreased from (11.09±3.14) cm before treatment to (4.82±2.83)cm after treatment ( P<0.001). The segmental edema decreased from (4.00±2.14)L before treatment to (1.21±0.78) L after treatment. Segmental edema was positively correlated with skin water content, transepidermal water loss, and skin fibrosis ( r=0.447, r=0.429, r=0.751, P<0.05). The patients were followed up for 6 months after treatment. The circumference control was excellent in 13 cases, good in 5 cases and moderate in 2 cases. The quality-of-life changes were excellent in 16 cases, good in 3 cases, medium in 1 case. The adaptability of elastic material was excellent in 9 cases, good in 8 cases, medium in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. Conclusions:CDT can reduce subcutaneous edema, effectively reduce limb volume, decrease skin fibrosis, improve skin barrier function, improve skin texture, restore the appearance of the limb and improve patients’ quality of life.

Objective: To explore the relationship between protease-chymase secreted by mast cells, and activated transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), in skin with secondary lymphedema(SLE)in lower extremity, so as toidentify the key factors in fibrosis of lymphedema. Methods: In this study, the affected limb skin of 7 SLE patients was includedas the experimental group, and normal skin tissue of the lower limb of 7 volunteers was used as controls. The skin samples were assayed by Masson staining, and the expressions of chymase and TGF-β1 were assayed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescent staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: There was obvious fibrosis in the skin of lower extremity in patients with lymphedema. The number of MCs andthe expressions of chymase, latency-associated peptide TGF-β1 (LAP TGF-β1) and TGF-β1 were all significantly increased in fibrotic skin in lymphedema, compared with those in normal skin. At the same time, the chymase-containing mast cells accumulated in the lymphatic vessels, with higher expression of TGF-β1. Conclusions The expression of chymase and TGF-β1 was significantly increased in the fibrotic skin insecondary lower extremity lymphedema. The increased expression of chymase in the skin may activate more TGF-β1 expression, and the increased TGF-β1 may promote skin fibrosis in SLE.

Objective: To elaborate the characteristics and advantages of Whole-Mount immune fluorescence staining by observing the lymphatic vessels of mice. Methods: The ear skin tissue, the hindlimb lymphatic vessels and the mesenteric lymphatic vessels were harvested from normal C57 mice. The tissue samples were subjected to whole-tissue immunofluorescence staining.These tissue samples were fixed by paraformaldehyde, blocked by bovine serum and incubated in primary and secondary antibodies. Then, the lymphatic vessels were observed and analyzed in these samples with a confocal laser-scanning microscope. Results: The capillary lymphatic vessels and lymphatic endothelial cells can be clearly showed in the ear skin. The valves and smooth muscles can be clearly showed in the hindlimb and mesenteric lymphatic vessels by Whole-Mount immunofluorescence staining. Conclusions The whole-tissue immunofluorescence staining technique can observe the external morphology of lymphatic vessels clearly and stereoscopically, and can deeply observe the internal structure of lymphatic vessels. This technique can provide more accurate study on physiology and pathology of lymphatic vessels.

The treatment of lymphedema has been difficult due to the lack of understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease, as well as the embryology and physiology of the lymphatic system. The previous surgical treatment mostly has the blindness. Complete decongestion therapy (CDT) is the most popular treatment currently. The ultimate goal of lymphedema is the targeted and individualized treatment. New technology of multimodality lymphatic imaging emerged in the recent years largely improves the diagnosis of lymphatic circulation disorders. The treatment of peripheral lymphedema is expected to have new achievement. The key points that should be noticed in peripheral lymphedema treatment are ① to distinguish between primary and secondary lymphedema as the function and structure of the lymphatic system are substantially different. The lymphatic vessel regeneration and self-repair has not be proved in primary lymphedema. ② lymphatic vessel (possibly lymph node too) undergo a series pathological and degenerative changes in the affected limb. ③ the pathological changes of lymphoedema tissue Including chronic inflammation, tissue fibrosis and fatty deposition, should be included in the treatment target. To decrease the expression and prevent the function of the key inflammatory factor may be a new way for the treat of lymphedema.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of indocyanine green(ICG)lymphography in primary lymphedema of extremities. Methods: 61 patients with limb lymphedema were enrolled in the study. The contralateral healthy limbs were used as controls. After intradermal injection of Indocyanine Green, dynamic observation of lymphatic vessels and lymph flow was performed using PDE near-infrared fluorescent instrument. The frequency of lymphatic contraction was calculated. Results: Lymphatic vessel images were clearly visualized in healthy limbs. Inguinal or axillary lymph nodes can be visualized when examined 30 minutes after injection. Lymphatic contraction frequency was 1(0.33-5.00)time per minute. 94.8% lymphedematous limb demonstrated delayed lymphatic vessel or lymph nodes. "Dermal backflow" and diffused shadow pattern can be observed in all affected limbs. Abnormal lymphatic vasculature and contraction can be visualized. The frequency of lymphatic contraction in the affected limb was higher compared to controls: 2.5(0.5-7.0) times per minute. Conclusions ICG lymphography possess high sensitivity for lymphedema diagnosis. ICG lymphography furthers our understanding of pathophysiological alterations of lymphatic disorders.

Objective: To explore the appropriate treatment cycle of complex decongestive Therapy (CDT) for extremity lymphedema, which is the summary of the relationship between treatment time and curative effect. Methods: From January to December 2015, 203 patients with limb lymphedema were divided into four stages according to the degree of edema and the degree of fibrosis, that is, four groups. All patients were given CDT treatment for a course of treatment (4 weeks). During the treatment period, the multi frequency bioelectrical resistance body composition analyzer was used to monitor the change of tissue moisture and the tape diameter was used to measure the circumference of the affected limb. SPSS software is used to analyze the data. Results: 203 cases were treated with CDT therapy. Water in limb tissue and limb circumference of affected side was decreased significantly (P<0.01). To the tissues water dynamic changes, in the first group there was a significant difference (P<0.01) in the first week and second week. There was no obvious difference in 2-4 weeks; In the 2, 3 and 4 groups, there was significant difference in the first week and the second week, as well as the second week and the third week (P<0.05). And there was no difference in the third and fourth week. To the circumference dynamic change, in the first group there was no significant difference in patients in the first and the second week; In the third group, there was significant difference in the first week and the second week, as well as the second week and the third week (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the last two weeks; In the fourth group, there was significant difference in the first week and the second week, as well as the third week and the fourth week(P<0.01). There was no difference in the second week and the third week. There is a correlation between the tissue water and the circumferential diameter (r=0.643). The patient has a good subjective feeling. Conclusions CDT therapy is effective in the treatment of lymphedema. For the first stage of edema, the therapy lasted two-week at least; For the second and the third stage edema, a 3 week therapy was suitable; For the fourth stage therapy, a four-week therapy is appropriate. It is suggested that CDT therapy should be maintained for at least half a year or so.

Objective Currently, the prefabricated flap is used for reconstructing the post-burn scar in head and face.The aim is to analyze the nature of the post-op edema in the prefabricated flaps, to determine whether it is lymphedema, and to study the prognosis of the edema.Methods From January, 2011 to March, 2015, 18 cases of post-operation edema in superficial temporal fascia prefabricated flaps were studied and each case was followed for 5 months.We used ultrasound and indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent imaging to study the nature of the edema.Apart from that, we monitored the recovery process of the post-operation edema by a) measuring the horizontal diameter of the flap by a tape, b) measuring the thickness of the flap by the ultrasound, c) monitoring the condition of edema by ICG and d) monitoring the reconstruction and recanalization of the lymphatic system by ICG.Results Pitting edema always occurred in the prefabricated flap from the first day after operation.These patients were diagnosed as mild lymphedema (7 cases), moderate lymphedema (10 cases), and severe lymphedema (1cases) by ultrasound and ICG florescent imaging.The degree of flap lymphedema improved gradually and it improved significantly from 3 days to 6 days post-op eration.The condition of flap lymphedema became stable from the 12 days post-operation.The fluorescence image of ICG showed that the stage of flap lymphedema improved from 3 weeks post-operation and the transportation capability of lymphatic vessels increased most from the 3 days to 6 days post-op eration.We also found lymphatic vessels reconnected from the 6 days post-operation and lymphatic system reconstructed following the direction to lymph nodes.We could discover the collecting lymphatic vessels from 2 months post-operation and the lymphatic system in prefabricated flap matured from 5 months post-operation.Conclusion The post-operation edema in the prefabricated flaps is lymphedema, the incidence rate of which is high.The lymphatic drainage system recovers in 6 days after the operation.It is reconstructed along the lymph nodes.The edema disappears in 2-3 weeks post-operation, the reconstructed the lymph system matures in 5 months.