A systematic review on clinical and imaging criteria for liposuction candidacy in lower extremity lymphedema.

Five categories of candidacy criteria were identified: inadequate response to conservative management, International Society of Lymphology (International Society of Lymphology) clinical stage II to III, tissue composition assessment (including nonpitting edema test and magnetic resonance imaging), lymphedema etiology (primary vs secondary), and confirmed capacity for lifelong compression garment compliance.

International Society of Lymphology stage II patients demonstrated significantly better volume reduction outcomes than stage III patients (P < .001).

Volume reduction was sustained up to 96 months but required continuous compression therapy.