New Lymphedema Surgery Unit at Safed Medical Center Offers Hope for Elephantiasis Patients
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
A new, pioneering Lymphedema Surgery Unit at the Safed Medical Center is revolutionizing treatment for elephantiasis patients in Israel. Led by specialist Dr. Asi Drorbot, the unit performs around 100 complex surgeries annually, drastically reducing operation times and improving outcomes. The unit offers advanced procedures like lymphatic bypasses and lymph node transplants. This development provides hope and restores daily function for patients suffering from severe swelling and recurrent infections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Safed Medical Center's new Lymphedema Surgery Unit is a national leader in treating elephantiasis.
- The unit performs approximately 100 complex surgeries annually, significantly reducing operation times.
- Dr. Asi Drorbot, the sole exclusive specialist in the field in Israel, leads the unit.
- Advanced techniques include lymphatic bypasses, lymph node transplants, and fat removal.
- The unit's work restores mobility and improves the quality of life for patients with severe swelling.
The Safed Medical Center has established a pioneering national unit dedicated to lymphedema surgeries, transforming the treatment landscape for patients suffering from severe swelling and recurrent infections, commonly known as elephantiasis. Previously a specialized medical service, the unit now performs approximately 100 complex surgeries annually, significantly reducing operation times and employing advanced microsurgical techniques. Dr. Asi Drorbot, the unit's director and the country's only specialist exclusively focused on this field, leads a team that has drastically improved surgical efficiency. "Instead of performing one lymphatic bypass in 8 hours, we now perform four bypasses in 3 hours," explained the team. Lymphedema, caused by blockages or damage to lymphatic vessels, leads to fluid accumulation and can result in extreme limb enlargement, severely impacting patients' quality of life.
Until recently, surgical options in Israel were limited, with other hospitals performing only a handful of such procedures yearly. Dr. Drorbot, who trained internationally in microsurgery for lymphatic vessels, emphasizes that lymphedema is not merely a cosmetic issue but a condition that hinders daily function. The unit's new status allows patients from across Israel, regardless of their health insurance provider, to access this specialized expertise. Despite the ongoing war, the unit has maintained a high operational tempo, conducting around 60 complex surgeries in July alone. The majority of cases involve primary and secondary lymphedema in the legs and arms.
The unit offers three main surgical approaches: lymphatic bypasses using super-microsurgery to create new fluid drainage pathways, lymph node transplantation for advanced cases where a healthy lymph node is transferred to the affected area, and fat removal and excision for severe elephantiasis cases, often followed by a bypass procedure later to maintain results. The team's expertise in handling vessels less than 0.8 mm in diameter has enabled them to reduce the time for a single lymphatic bypass from eight hours to just 30 minutes, enhancing patient safety and improving outcomes by allowing for more bypasses per operation. This advancement represents a significant step in Israeli medicine, restoring mobility and improving the lives of many patients.