Lymphedema resulting from filariasis successfully treated by surgery

Abstract

Filariasis is an infectious disease caused by a filarial worm infection transmitted by mosquito bites. The disease can result in reduced work productivity, disability and social stigma. This disease transmission process begins when a mosquito bite and suck the blood containing the microfilaria. Filarial infections have been grouped into three categories based on their location diseases of the disease: (1) lymphatics, (2) skin, and (3) body cavities. Morbidity is almost entirely due to the species that cause lymphatic diseases, and skin diseases to a lesser degree. A 28-year-old male came with a chief complaint of swollen right leg since four years ago which worsened in the last three months. Upon physical examination, edema, fibrosis, and hyper-pigmented plaques were present on the right lower extremity. The blood microfilariae examination was positive for <i>Wuchereria bancrofti</i>. The lymphedema did not resolve despite of antifilarial treatment and surgery was eventually performed to resect the fibrous tissue and subcutaneous edema. The patient responded well to the treatment with a significant reduction in the edema. No complication was present until two years after surgery.

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