First Case of Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis for Treatment of Secondary Lymphedema in Costa Rica: Japanese Contribution to Microsurgery Development

Although a large number of treatments have been developed for lymphedema, definitive management still remains a challenge for plastic surgery, because not all surgical techniques have a positive effect on every patient, and good results are difficult to reproduce. However, it is important to recognize the efforts that Professor Isao Koshima and his colleagues together with the Government of Japan are carrying out to spread information to the different countries on the newest surgical techniques available in current plastic surgery and to motivate young doctors in developing countries to create a microsurgery unit in their home country, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver real solutions to complex problems that were previously unanswered. As a result of this program, the authors present the first case of secondary lymphedema successfully treated with lymphaticovenular anastomosis in Costa Rica, Central America.