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in Brisbane now offers advanced microsurgery for lymphoedema, becoming the state鈥檚 first private hospital to do so. Affecting an estimated 70,000 Australians, lymphoedema is commonly seen after cancer surgery involving lymph node removal and can cause chronic swelling, pain, recurrent infections, and significant physical and emotional distress.

Recently completing聽a lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA), which was聽the state鈥檚 first in a private hospital setting, were specialist plastic surgeons Dr Matthew Cheng and Dr Andrew Lewandowski. The case involved a patient with aggressive skin cancer and used intricate supermicrosurgery to help reroute the patient鈥檚 lymphatic system and reduce the risk of lifelong swelling and discomfort 鈥� a聽prophylactic LVA being performed during the procedure, connecting tiny lymphatic vessels directly to veins to bypass damaged pathways and help prevent lymphoedema from developing.

Dr Lewandowski and Dr Cheng with patient Wendell Raasch.

鈥淗istorically, people with lymphoedema have had very limited options, often relying on compression, massage or simply learning to live with the condition,鈥� Cheng said. 鈥淲ith LVA, we鈥檙e offering patients a surgical solution that can ease symptoms or even prevent lymphoedema altogether.鈥�

Lewandowski said the new procedure represents聽a shift in how hospitals care for people during and beyond cancer treatment. 鈥淲hile we excel at treating cancers and saving lives, we have fallen short on managing the long-term consequences of invasive surgery,鈥� Lewandowski said. 鈥淟ymphoedema can impact a person鈥檚 ability to perform everyday tasks and put them at greater risk of skin infections such as cellulitis. Being able to prevent or treat this condition is a huge step forward.鈥�

Top image caption:聽LVA procedure at Greenslopes Private 黑料吃瓜群网.