THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL LYMPHEDEMA Draft Revision of the 1995 Consensus Document of the International Society of Lymphology Executive Committee for Discussion at the September 3-7, 2001, XVIII International Congress of Lymphology in Geno

Abstract

This proposed revision of the 1995 ISLConsensus Document in the evaluation andmanagement ofperipheral lymphedema (1) isbased upon modifications suggested andpublished following the 1997 XVI InternationalCongress of Lymphology (ICL) inMadrid, Spain (2), discussed at the 1999 XVIIICL in Chennai, India (3), and considered atthe most recent International Society ofLymphology (ISL) Executive Committeemeeting in Hinterzarten, Germany (4). It isdesigned to stimulate and frame debate at theupcoming XVIII ICL (September 2001,Genoa, Italy) and thereby help shape the nextofficial version of the Consensus Document tobe published early next year in the Journaland on the ISL Web site.The document attempts to amalgamatethe broad spectrum ofprotocols advocatedworldwide for the diagnosis and treatment ofperipheral lymphedema into a coordinatedproclamation representing a "Consensus" ofthe international community. The document isnot meant to override individual clinicalconsiderations for problematic patients nor tostifle progress. It is also not meant to be alegal formulation from which variations definemedical malpractice. The Society understandsthat in some clinics the method of treatmentderives from national standards while inothers access to medical equipment andsupplies is limited and therefore the suggestedtreatments are impractical. We continue tostruggle to keep the document concise whilebalancing the need for depth and details. Withthese considerations in mind, we believe thatthe next version of the Consensus shouldrepresent the best judgment of the ISLmembership on how to approach patients withperipheral lymphedema as of2001. Weanticipate that the document will and shouldbe challenged, debated in· the pages ofLymphology (e.g., as Letters to the Editor),and ideally become a continued focal point forrobust discussion at local, national andinternational conferences in lymphology andrelated disciplines. We further anticipate asexperience evolves and new ideas and technologiesemerge that this "living document"will undergo periodic revision and refinement.