Venus 2023 Opening and Lymphedema Session Highlights

Welcome and the Scope of Lymphedema

Meeting leadership opened Venus 2023 around the theme One World, Many Voices before an overview talk outlined how much remains unknown about lymphedema, including its true prevalence, unclear progression, and the limited sensitivity of imaging tools such as lymphoscintigraphy, alongside underrecognized truths like the fact that early lymphedema is pitting and that compression alone only maintains rather than treats the condition.

Phlebolymphedema Burden and Lymphatic Imaging

A large claims database study found phlebolymphedema carries nearly five times the cellulitis rate of breast cancer related lymphedema and higher treatment costs, particularly with recurrent infections. An intranodal lymphangiogram study found suprainguinal lymphatic disease in most limbs undergoing iliac vein stenting, though it did not predict swelling outcomes after treatment.

Lipedema and Persistent Swelling After Stenting

A lipedema series showed that limited, saphenous sparing phlebectomy relieved symptoms even when venous insufficiency was mild. A closing case based talk illustrated that while iliac vein stenting resolves swelling in many patients, a meaningful subset need combined decongestive therapy or further lymphatic evaluation when swelling persists.