Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Lymphedema Center Named LE&RN ‘Center of Excellence’

First in Korea: Recognition for Microsurgical Excellence and Research Achievements in Lymphedema Treatment

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) announced on the 4th that its Lymphedema Center has become the first Korean institution to be designated as a ‘Center of Excellence - Surgical Category’ by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN), a globally recognized authority in lymphatic disease research and education.

According to hospital officials, LE&RN, established in 1998, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research and education in lymphatic system disorders and lymphedema. Through its ‘Center of Excellence’ program, the organization identifies and recognizes medical institutions demonstrating exceptional expertise in lymphatic disorders, research capabilities, and clinical treatment outcomes.

Lymphedema is a condition characterized by localized fluid retention and tissue swelling, particularly in the extremities, resulting from lymphatic system damage. This condition affects over 200 million people worldwide and can develop from various causes, including congenital factors, lymph node removal during cancer surgery, radiation therapy, infection, and trauma.

If left untreated, lymphedema can become increasingly challenging to manage, potentially leading to chronic complications such as cellulitis, severe pruritus, keratosis, and significant psychological distress.

The SNUBH Lymphedema Center has performed hundreds of sophisticated microsurgical procedures, including lymphatic venous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT). The center earned this prestigious recognition—becoming the third Center of Excellence in Asia after Japan’s Kameda Medical Center and Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital—for its comprehensive infrastructure supporting personalized lymphedema patient care and for conducting Korea’s most extensive primary lymphedema cohort study.

Professor Myung Yu-jin of SNUBH’s Department of Plastic Surgery emphasized, "Lymphedema significantly impacts patients’ psychological well-being and quality of life. We focus on developing comprehensive, personalized treatment approaches through interdisciplinary collaboration with rehabilitation medicine and other specialties. This Center of Excellence designation will further drive our commitment to advancing treatment modalities for lymphedema and lymphatic disorders."