Evidence on the efficacy and safety of liposuction for chronic lymphoedema is adequate. The evidence on safety shows that the potential risks include venous thromboembolism, fat embolism, and fluid overload. This procedure can be used provided that standard arrangements are in place for clinical governance, consent and audit. Find out what standard arrangements mean on the NICE interventional procedures guidance page.
For auditing the outcomes of this procedure, the main efficacy and safety outcomes identified in this guidance can be entered into NICE's interventional procedures outcomes audit tool (for use at local discretion).
Patient selection must be done by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in managing lymphoedema.
The procedure should only be done in specialist centres by clinicians with training and expertise in liposuction for lymphoedema following agreed perioperative protocols.