Lymph Symposium

7th International Lymphology Symposium

26. – 28. November 2026

Programme

Thursday, November 26th, 2026
1:00 pm

Workshop: ICG-guided decisions and visualization of lymphedema – Hands-on

The lymphatic system is invisible to the human eye because of its transparency. After an intradermal injection of highly diluted ICG, a vital dye, the superficial lymphatic System draining the injected area appears visible. Thanks to a special near-infrared camera the lymph passing into the collectors is also visible.

The workshop aims to show in real time, on volunteers, one affected with lymphedema and one without, typical steps of an ICG lymphography exam. Based on observable evidence, we will show and discuss: the diffusion of the dye from the injection point, the lymph Progression in normal and pathological conditions, the contingencies of lymphangion valves and other characteristics of updated knowledge of lymphatic physiology and physiopathology.

The different manual lymph drainage methods can be tested under the eyes of fluoroscopy in real time by the participants if they want.

Jean-Paul Belgrado, PhD, Brussels, Belgium
Velika Stoichkova, Brussels, Belgium
Assoc. Prof. PD Dr. Chieh-Han John Tzou, MBA, Vienna, Austria

Duration of workshop sessions: 01:00 p.m. – 02:30 p.m. |
Target group: Physicians and surgeons

Due to the limited number of participants, we kindly ask you to register for this workshop.

Language: English
Room: Park Suite 7 on the 1st floor

With kind support of: Fluoptics – Part of Getinge

3:00 pm

Workshop: ICG-guided decisions and visualization of lymphedema – Hands-on

The lymphatic system is invisible to the human eye because of its transparency. After an intradermal injection of highly diluted ICG, a vital dye, the superficial lymphatic system draining the injected area appears visible. Thanks to a special near-infrared camera, the lymph passing into the collectors is also visible.

The workshop aims to show in real time, on volunteers, one affected with lymphedema and one without, typical steps of an ICG lymphography exam. Based on observable evidence, we will show and discuss: the diffusion of the dye from the injection point, the lymph progression in normal and pathological conditions, the contingencies of lymphangion valves and other characteristics of updated knowledge of lymphatic physiology and physiopathology.

The different manual lymph drainage methods can be tested under the eyes of fluoroscopy in real time by the participants if they want.

Jean-Paul Belgrado, PhD, Brussels, Belgium
Velika Stoichkova, Brussels, Belgium
Assoc. Prof. PD Dr. Chieh-Han John Tzou, MBA, Vienna, Austria

Duration of workshop sessions: 03:00 p.m. – 06:00 p.m. |
Target group: Therapists and healthcare professionals

Due to the limited number of participants, we kindly ask you to register for this workshop.

Language: English
Room: Park Suite 7 on the 1st floor

With kind support of: Fluoptics – Part of Getinge

4:00 pm
Visiting the exhibition
Friday, November 27th, 2026
6:30 am

Morning run
We welcome you to join our morning run with OÄ Dr. med. Ines Tinhofer on the Ring. The Ring is a 5.3 km circular grand boulevard around the historic city centre and was built where the city walls once stood. It accompanies historical grand buildings and amazing sights.
You will receive a limited edition running shirt at the start. Please contact the conference office for registration and further information.

Leaders
OÄ Dr. med. Ines Tinhofer, Vienna, Austria
MiRun, OTA, Vienna, Austria

7:30 am
Registration, welcome coffee and visiting the exhibition
8:00 am

Workshop: CDT in lymphedema – An interdisciplinary exchange

How can we achieve successful therapy using the CDT method – even in cases of complex lymphedema? Join us and our patients on-site for a journey through medicine, therapy, and medical supply stores, and experience the interdisciplinary exchange among experts from these three fields.
The workshop is designed to be interactive, allowing both patients on-site and the audience to be actively involved in the process.
Some of the demonstrations will be with edema patients.

Time frame: 08:00 a.m. to 09:30 a.m.– You can freely schedule your personal participation time and attend additional workshops in parallel.

Room: Park Suite 3 on the 1st floor
Language: German and English

Due to the limited number of participants, we kindly ask you to register for this workshop.

Christine Hemmann-Moll, Bad Rappenau, Germany
Dr. Markus Killinger, Angerberg, Austria
Meadbh Mac Sweeney, RGN MPH, Cork, Ireland
Katrin Männel-Emra, Neumarkt, Germany
Michaela Moser, Wörgl, Austria

8:00 am

Workshop: Sewing with the masters – Hands-on

Perfect your supermicrosurgical techniques during a live scope session. Under the guidance of experts, you will have the opportunity to develop your surgical skills in this hands-on workshop. Take the opportunity to learn about and discuss today’s international standard. Interested participants from other disciplines are also welcome to see how today’s surgical techniques are implemented in LVAs and how promising the results are.

Chairs / The common faculty of masters
OÄ Dr. med. Tina Deutinger, Vienna, Austria
Ahmed M. Gad, MD, PhD, Cairo, Egypt
Akitatsu Hayashi, MD, PhD, Kamogawa, Japan
Joon Pio Hong, MD, PhD, MBA, Seoul, Korea
Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Elisabeth A. Kappos, FMH(Plast), Basel, Switzerland
Balázs Mohos, MD, Budapest, Hungary
Dung Nguyen, MD, PharmD, MBA, FACS, Stanford, USA
Gemma Pons, MD, PhD, Barcelona, Spain

OÄ Dr. med. Julia Roka-Palkovits, Vienna, Austria
OA Dr. med. Johannes Steinbacher, Vienna, Austria
OÄ Dr. med. Ines Tinhofer, Vienna, Austria

Due to the limited number of participants, we kindly ask you to register for this workshop.

Target group: Surgeons
Participants from other disciplines are welcome to consider attending.

Room: Park Suite 9 and 10 on the 1st floor
Time per participant: approx. 20 minutes. We will inform you about your allocation.

With kind support of:
B. Braun Austria GmbH | CROWNJUN KONO Company, Limited Tokyo | Medtronic Austria
GmbH | Microsure | NEUMED AG / Leica Mikrosysteme | S&T AG, STILLE Group |
SYNOVIS MCA | Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, ZEISS Group

8:00 am

Workshop: Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound in lymphology – Hands-on

In many cases, lymphedema can be diagnosed clinically with sufficient confidence, based on medical history, inspection and palpation, while taking relevant differential diagnoses into account. Ultrasound complements clinical assessment by visualizing dermal and subcutaneous tissue changes, fluid accumulation, signs of fibrosis and findings relevant for differential diagnosis. It thereby supports diagnostic assessment, treatment planning and follow-up.
Using high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency ultrasound, superficial lymphatic vessels and accompanying veins can also be visualized. Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound plays a particularly important role in surgical planning: it enables the preoperative localization of suitable lymphatic vessels and venous recipient vessels, supports the selection of appropriate incision sites and thereby contributes to the targeted planning of lymphovenous anastomoses.

Due to the limited number of participants, we kindly ask you to register for this workshop.

Target group: medical doctors and surgeons.
Participants from other disciplines are welcome.

Time per round: approx. 40 minutes
The workshop takes place with patients.

Room: Park Suite 7 on the 1st floor
Language: English

Akitatsu Hayashi, MD, PhD, Kamogawa, Japan
Dr. Aaron Antaeus Metz, Vienna, Austria
Balázs Mohos, MD, Budapest, Hungary

8:00 am

Workshop: Physical therapy and self-management for edema patients

Patient-oriented, individual therapy, guided self-management and adherence of our patients are decisive factors for the success of treatment. The focus of this workshop is on practical demonstrations in the context of CDT (Complete Physical Decongestive Therapy) and functional physiotherapy on patients.
Therapists and experts provide differentiated insights into manual lymph drainage, bandaging, taping and intermittent pneumatic compression. Several options for compression therapy in lymphology, complicated treatment situations for genital, head and neck lymphedema, as well as patient-oriented approaches in the treatment of scars and wounds will be discussed.

The workshop offers plenty of time for your questions and exchanges.
Medicine and therapy go hand in hand!

Some of the demonstrations will be with edema patients.
Time per round: approx. 40 minutes
Room: Grand Klimt Hall on the 1st floor

Chairs
Prim.a Dr. med. Berit Payer, Wolfsberg, Austria
Andreas Wittlinger, Walchsee, Austria

Involved persons and topics

  • Creative questions and answers on the “flying carpet”
    Mag. Christina Buder, Walchsee, Austria
  • Complicated treatment situations for genital, head and neck lymphedema
    Walter Grünwald, Cornelia Kügele, Florian Türmer, Wolfsberg, Austria
  • Wound management for patients with lymphedema – Challenges, compression, and interdisciplinary approaches
    Manuela Jovic, Vienna, Austria
  • Manual lymphatic drainage for head lymphedema
    Thomas Saupe, Walchsee, Austria
  • The diversity of lymphological compression therapy as well as scar management for edema patients
    Irmgard Mayr, Röhrmoos, Germany
  • Bandaging and compression pressure: Which pressure levels are clinically relevant? Explore, test, and feel the differences between various compression pressures and bandaging applications
    Jean-Paul Belgrado, PhD, Velika Stoichkova, Brussels, Belgium
  • Taping for lymphedema patients
    Elisabeth Kleinpaul, Vienna, Austria

With kind support of: Bösl Medizintechnik GmbH | Julius Zorn GmbH | Österreichische
Lymph-Liga | PeriKit | PHYSIOMED ELEKTROMEDIZIN AG

Lectures, Grand Klimt Hall on the first floor | Simultaneous interpreting available
10:00 am
Welcome and introduction to the topics
Prim. Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Matthias Paireder, MBA, FACS, Vienna, Austria
Assoc.-Prof. PD Dr. med. Chieh-Han John Tzou, MBA, Vienna, Austria
I. Innovative surgery in lymphology and robotic surgery
Chairs: Joon Pio Hong, MD, PhD, MBA, Seoul, Korea
Prof. Dr. med. Nicole Lindenblatt, MBA, Zurich, Switzerland
10:10 am
Immediate lymphatic reconstruction with targeted lymphatic axillary repair
Gemma Pons, MD, PhD, Barcelona, Spain
10:35 am
Long-term outcome of nanofibrillar collagen scaffold usage in lymphedema surgery
Dung Nguyen, MD, PharmD, MBA, FACS, Stanford, USA
11:00 am
Lymphatic microsurgery alone in chronic symptomatic lymphedema
Ahmed M. Gad, MD, PhD, Cairo, Egypt
11:25 am
The history of robotics in microsurgery
OÄ Dr. med. Tina Deutinger, Vienna, Austria
11:50 am
Robotic-assisted peripheral and central lymphatic surgery – Five years of clinical experience and future perspectives
Prof. Dr. Nicole Lindenblatt, MBA, Zurich, Switzerland
12:15 pm
Clinical experience with robot-assisted microsurgical systems in lymphatic surgery
Prof. Dr. Emre Gazyakan, MSc, FEBOPRAS, FEBHS, Ludwigshafen, Germany
12:40 pm
Lunch break and visiting the exhibition
Group photo in room Grand Klimt Hall
12:40 pm

Workshop: Sewing with the masters – Hands-on

Perfect your supermicrosurgical techniques during a live scope session. Under the guidance of experts, you will have the opportunity to develop your surgical skills in this hands-on workshop. Take the opportunity to learn about and discuss today’s international standard.
Interested participants from other disciplines are also welcome to see how today’s surgical techniques are implemented in LVAs and how promising the results are.

II. Imaging in lymphology
Chairs: Akitatsu Hayashi, MD, PhD, Kamogawa, Japan
Balázs Mohos, MD, Budapest, Hungary
1:25 pm
Role of ultra high frequency ultrasound in lymphedema treatment – The challenge of establishing less invasive diagnostic and preoperative evaluations
Akitatsu Hayashi, MD, PhD, Kamogawa, Japan
1:55 pm
Radiological techniques for visualizing the lymphatic vessels
Dr. Evelyn Auer, BSc, Salzburg, Austria
2:20 pm
Imaging of the lymphatic system in the head and neck region
Prof. Dr. Claus C. Pieper, Bonn, Germany
2:45 pm

Live demonstration: Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound in lymphology

In many cases, lymphedema can be diagnosed clinically with sufficient confidence, based on medical history, inspection and palpation, while taking relevant differential diagnoses
into account. Ultrasound complements clinical assessment by visualizing dermal and subcutaneous tissue changes, fluid accumulation, signs of fibrosis and findings relevant for
differential diagnosis. It thereby supports diagnostic assessment, treatment planning and follow-up.
Using high-frequency or ultra-high-frequency ultrasound, superficial lymphatic vessels and accompanying veins can be visualized. Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound plays a particularly
important role in surgical planning: it enables the preoperative localization of suitable lymphatic vessels and venous recipient vessels and thereby contributes to the targeted
planning of lymphovenous anastomoses.

During this live session, the application of ultra-high-frequency ultrasound in lymphatic surgery will be demonstrated on a patient.

Akitatsu Hayashi, MD, PhD, Kamogawa, Japan
Dr. med. Aaron Antaeus Metz, Vienna, Austria
Balázs Mohos, MD, Budapest, Hungary

3:20 pm
Coffee break and visiting the exhibition
III. Lymphedema and the AWMF S3-guideline
Chairs: Prim.a Dr. med. Berit Payer, Wolfsberg, Austria
PD Dr. med. Anett Reißhauer, Berlin, Germany
3:50 pm

Panel discussion: AWMF S3-guideline on lymphedema | Current status of implementation, key points, and open questions

Moderation and introduction: emer. Prim. Dr. med. Christian Ure, Wolfsberg, Austria

  • Definition, aetiology and epidemiology of lymphedema
    Ao. Univ. Prof. Dr. med. univ. Erich Brenner, Innsbruck, Austria
  • Diagnostics and conservative therapy
    Prim.a Dr. med. Berit Payer, Wolfsberg, Austria
  • Surgical aspects of lymphedema therapy
    OÄ Dr. med. Julia Roka-Palkovits, Vienna, Austria
  • The therapeutic perspective
    Andreas Wittlinger, PT, Walchsee, Austria
  • Bridging evidence and clinical practice: The new guideline and insights from the prevention working group
    Eva-Maria Streicher, Munich, Germany
  • The silent burden: Psychosocial impact of lymphedema
    Dr. rer. nat. Katharina Loibnegger-Traußnig, MSc, Vienna, Austria
4:50 pm
Navigating the toughest lymphedema cases: Challenges, triumphs, and the reward of progress
Prof. Kristiana Gordon, MBBS, FRCP, MD(Res), CLT, London, England
5:15 pm
Pediatric lymphedema: Clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies in the context of the new S3-guideline
PD Dr. med. Anett Reißhauer, Berlin, Germany
IV. Lymphology around the world and humanitarian missions
Chairs: Prim.a Dr. med. Silvia Brandstätter, Vienna, Austria
OA Dr. med. Johannes Steinbacher, Vienna, Austria
5:40 pm
Demystifying global surgery in Africa
Tertius H.J. Venter, MBChB, FCS(SA), MMed, Garden Valley, Texas, USA
6:00 pm
Lymphedema and lipedema care in Norway – between regulatory frameworks, geography and clinical reality
Ann-Katrin Schimmele, Sandnes, Norway
6:20 pm
The current status and issues of lymphedema treatment and education in Japan
Nobumitsu Hamanaka, Tokyo, Japan
6:40 pm
Changing perspectives: Insights into professionalization and lymphology within physical therapy in Brazil
Felicitas Froitzheim, B.Sc., Aachen, Germany
7:00 pm
Frugal two-phase management of lymphedema in resource‑limited populations of East Africa
Rainer H. Kraus, Roth, Germany
7:15 pm
Mossy Foot project: Aid for people affected by podoconiosis in Ethiopia
Wilfried Vollrath, Berlin, Germany
7:30 pm
Summary and closing words
Prof. Dr. med. Manuel E. Cornely, Düsseldorf, Germany
Assoc.-Prof. PD Dr. med. Chieh-Han John Tzou, MBA, Vienna, Austria
8:00 pm
Afterwards conference dinner | Common exchange
8:00 pm

Congress Evening on Friday, November 27th, 2026

Take advantage of the opportunity for a great common exchange with speakers and colleagues.
We are looking forward to seeing you!

Location:
Salonplafond at the MAK
Stubenring 5
1010 Vienna
salonplafond.wien

The restaurant “Salonplafond” is located 250 m from the Hilton Vienna Park Hotel.
Dress code: Business casual

Saturday, November 28th, 2026
7:30 am
Registration, welcome coffee and visiting the exhibition
Lectures, Grand Klimt Hall on the first floor | Simultaneous interpreting available
8:30 am
Welcome and introduction to the topics
OA Dr. med. Alexander Butz, Vienna, Austria
OÄ Dr. med. Brigitte Obermayer, MBA, Vienna, Austria
V. Obesity, pharmacological treatment options and their mechanisms of action
Chairs: OA Dr. med. Alexander Butz, Vienna, Austria
OÄ Dr. med. Brigitte Obermayer, MBA, Vienna, Austria
8:40 am
Obesity-induced lymphedema (OIL): Pathophysiological links between intestinal barrier dysfunction, chronic inflammation and emerging therapeutic strategies
Univ.-Prof. PD Dr. med. Peter Panhofer, MBA, MSc, Vienna, Austria
9:05 am
Slim first, cut later? – GLP-1 Receptor agonists in plastic surgery: New opportunities, new risks?
OÄ Dr. med. Nina Hüttinger, FEBOPRAS, Vienna, Austria
9:30 am
A new disease-modifying therapeutic approach for lipoedema: The application of GIP / GLP‑1 analogs, using the active ingredient tirzepatide as an example.
Dr. med. Markus Killinger, Angerberg, Austria
9:55 am
Robotic bariatric surgery
OA Dr. med. Alexander Butz, Vienna, Austria
10:20 am
Coffee break and visiting the exhibition
10:20 am

Workshop: Sewing with the masters – Hands-on

Perfect your supermicrosurgical techniques during a live scope session. Under the guidance of experts, you will have the opportunity to develop your surgical skills in this hands-on workshop. Take the opportunity to learn about and discuss today’s international standard.
Interested participants from other disciplines are also welcome to see how today’s surgical techniques are implemented in LVAs and how promising the results are.

VI. Research and innovation | Foundation and future of lymphological medicine
Chair: Prof. Kristiana Gordon, MBBS, FRCP, MD(Res), CLT, London, England
OÄ Dr. med. Julia Roka-Palkovits, Vienna, Austria
10:50 am
Lymphatic system, glymphatic system, and altered fluid shifts in the body
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dieter Blottner, Berlin, Germany
11:15 am
Ultrasound and early reconstruction in physiologic lymphedema surgery
Assoc.-Prof. PD Dr. med. Chieh-Han John Tzou, MBA, Vienna, Austria
11:40 am
Lymphatic surgery for Alzheimer's dementia – The logic and early experience
Joon Pio Hong, MD, PhD, MBA, Seoul, Korea
12:15 pm
Lymphatic aging: Redefining a neglected dimension of vascular biology
PD Dr. med. Epameinondas Gousopoulos, MSc, PhD, Zurich, Switzerland
12:40 pm
Translational medicine: How can genetic research be implemented in clinical practice? Current therapies?
Dr. rer. nat. Dr. med. René Hägerling, Berlin, Germany
1:05 pm
Lunch break and visiting the exhibition
1:05 pm

Workshop: Sewing with the masters – Hands-on

Perfect your supermicrosurgical techniques during a live scope session. Under the guidance of experts, you will have the opportunity to develop your surgical skills in this hands-on workshop. Take the opportunity to learn about and discuss today’s international standard.
Interested participants from other disciplines are also welcome to see how today’s surgical techniques are implemented in LVAs and how promising the results are.

VII. Breast surgery and secondary lymphedema: Prevention and therapies
Chair: Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Elisabeth A. Kappos, FMH(Plast), Basel, Switzerland
OÄ Dr. med. Ines Tinhofer, Vienna, Austria
1:35 pm

Live demonstration and presentation: ICG-guided decisions and visualization of breast and arm lymphedema

Impress your eyes: In this demonstration you will see the superficial lymphatics and the lymph flow in real time in normal and pathological condition. Invisible lymphatic pathways and anastomosis become visible, thanks to Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. It can be used in the early detection and diagnosis of secondary lymphedema and for the planning of a surgical therapy moreover for the physical decongestive treatment. At this part, we take a special focus on breast and arm lymphedema.

Jean-Paul Belgrado, PhD, Brussels, Belgium
Velika Stoichkova, Brussels, Belgium

2:15 pm
Breast cancer 2026: The surgical approach
Prim. Dr. med. Arik Galid, Vienna, Austria
2:40 pm
The value of prospective surveillance for cancer-related lymphedema Meadbh Mac Sweeney, RGN MPH, Cork, Ireland
Dr. Deirdre O'Mahony, Cork, Ireland
3:05 pm
Sensory reinnervated breast reconstruction with TMG: An anatomical study
OÄ Dr. med. Ines Tinhofer, Vienna, Austria
3:30 pm
Sensate breast: From nerve sparing mastectomies to sensitised flaps
Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Elisabeth A. Kappos, FMH(Plast), Basel, Switzerland
3:55 pm
A 5-year experience with omentum flap for breast reconstruction
Dung Nguyen, MD, PharmD, MBA, FACS, Stanford, USA
VIII. Lipohyperplasia dolorosa (LiDo) [Lipoedema]
Chair: Prof. Dr. med. Manuel E. Cornely, Düsseldorf, Germany
OÄ Dr. med. Nina Hüttinger, FEBOPRAS, Vienna, Austria
4:20 pm
A decade of lipoedema research: Translating mechanisms into clinical outcomes and biomarkers
PD Dr. med. Epameinondas Gousopoulos, MSc, PhD, Zurich, Switzerland
4:35 pm
My practical approach to liposuction in lipoedema
Louis Habbema, MD, Amsterdam, Netherlands
4:50 pm
3D-Scanning to diagnose and monitor lipoedema in many patients
Fiorella Mondelli, Bari, Italy
5:05 pm
LiDo stratification. Assignment of interventions.
Prof. Dr. med. Manuel E. Cornely, Düsseldorf, Germany
5:20 pm
Nutrition in lipoedema: Current evidence & practical implementation
Edburg Edlinger, BSc, Innsbruck, Austria
5:35 pm
Summary and closing remarks
Prof. Dr. med. Manuel E. Cornely, Düsseldorf, Germany
Assoc.-Prof. PD Dr. med. Chieh-Han John Tzou, MBA, Vienna, Austria
6:00 pm
End of the symposium