ABSTRACT
The basic condition for development of lymphedema is lymph stasis. Insufficiency of lymph vessels as fluid conduits in cases of lymph overproduction should not carry the name “lymphedema”, because the primary etiologic factor remains outside of the lymphatic system. Lymphedema is a progressive disorder characterized by impairment of lymph flow from tissues to the blood circulation due to damage of lymphatics, with subsequent tissue accumulation of physiologically extravasated blood humoral and cellular factors, tissue cell products and wastes, and foreign antigens. Impairment of tissue fluid and lymph transport away from the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and to a lesser extent from the deeper located tissues, leads to accumulation of extravasated plasma proteins. Lymphedema should be divided into two basic types: idiopathic (primary) and secondary. Abnormality of the lymphatic vessels was considered to be solely responsible for the pathogenesis of primary lymphedema.
