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Zhang HZ, Zhong QL, Zhang HT, Luo QH, Tang HL, Zhang LJ. Effectiveness of six-step complex decongestive therapy for treating upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:8827-8836. [PMID: 36157662 PMCID: PMC9477048 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i25.8827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is currently recommended as the standard treatment for lymphedema. CDT is a four-step detumescence therapy that can effectively treat upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery, and is considered non-invasive, painless and without side effects.
AIM To determine the effectiveness of a six-step CDT involving a foam granule bandage for the treatment of upper extremity lymphedema pressure after breast cancer surgical intervention.
METHODS The study included 100 patients with upper extremity lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. The surgical methods were mastectomy plus axillary lymph node dissection and breast preservation plus sentinel lymph node biopsy. The study population was further divided into the experimental group and control group with 50 cases in each group. The control group was given conventional CDT (four-step method), which included skin care, freehand lymphatic drainage, foam granule pressurized bandage, and functional exercise. In the experimental group, a six-step CDT method was applied that involved a foam particle bandage combined with air wave pressure therapy in addition to the four steps of conventional CDT. Patients in both groups were given one course of treatment daily (20 times), and the changes in body moisture and subjective symptoms were measured before and after treatment, preoperatively and 20 times after treatment.
RESULTS No statistically significant differences in 50-Hz bioelectrical impedance and extracellular moisture ratio were observed between the two groups before treatment, suggesting comparability of the baseline data. After treatment, the 50-Hz bioelectrical impedance of the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the extracellular moisture ratio was significantly lower than that in the control group. A comparison of the differences between the two groups before and after treatment indicated that the treatment effect in the experimental group was better than that in the control group. After 20 treatments, according to subjective evaluations, the tightness and swelling of the limbs in the experimental group were significantly reduced as compared with those in the control group.
CONCLUSION The six-step CDT method can effectively reduce lymphedema, promote lymphatic circulation, and alleviate the subjective symptoms of patients, and thereby improve the quality of life and treatment compliance among patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Zhen Zhang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Qiao-Ling Zhong
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Hui-Ting Zhang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Qing-Hua Luo
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Hai-Lin Tang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, China
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Brix B, White O, Ure C, Apich G, Simon P, Roessler A, Goswami N. Hemodynamic Responses in Lower Limb Lymphedema Patients Undergoing Physical Therapy. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070642. [PMID: 34356497 PMCID: PMC8301048 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphedema arises due to a malfunction of the lymphatic system, leading to extensive tissue swelling. Complete decongestive therapy (CDT), which is a physical therapy lasting for 3 weeks and includes manual lymphatic drainages (MLD), leads to fluid mobilization and increases in plasma volume. Here, we investigated hemodynamic responses induced by these fluid shifts due to CDT and MLD. METHODS Hemodynamic parameters were assessed continuously during a sit-to-stand test (5 min baseline, 5 min of standing, and 5 min of recovery). This intervention was repeated on days 1, 2, 7, 14, and 21 of CDT, before and after MLD. Volume regulatory hormones were assessed in plasma samples. RESULTS A total number of 13 patients took part in this investigation. Resting diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased over three weeks of CDT (p = 0.048). No changes in baseline values were shown due to MLD. However, MLD led to a significant decrease in heart rate during orthostatic loading over all epochs on therapy day 14, as well as day 21. Volume regulatory hormones did not show changes over lymphedema therapy. CONCLUSION We did not observe any signs of orthostatic hypotension at rest, as well as during to CDT, indicating that lymphedema patients do not display an elevated risk of orthostatic intolerance. Although baseline hemodynamics were not affected, MLD has shown to have potential beneficial effects on hemodynamic responses to a sit-to-stand test in patients undergoing lymphedema therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Brix
- Gravitational Physiology and Medicine Research Unit, Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (B.B.); (P.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Olivier White
- Unit 1093, Cognition, Action and Sensorimotor Plasticity, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, 21000 Dijon, France;
| | - Christian Ure
- Clinical Center for Lymphatic Disorders, Wolfsberg State Hospital, KABEG, 9400 Wolfsberg, Austria; (C.U.); (G.A.)
| | - Gert Apich
- Clinical Center for Lymphatic Disorders, Wolfsberg State Hospital, KABEG, 9400 Wolfsberg, Austria; (C.U.); (G.A.)
- Physical Medicine and General Rehabilitation, KABEG, Wolfsberg Site, 9400 Wolfsberg, Austria
| | - Paul Simon
- Gravitational Physiology and Medicine Research Unit, Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (B.B.); (P.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Andreas Roessler
- Gravitational Physiology and Medicine Research Unit, Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (B.B.); (P.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Gravitational Physiology and Medicine Research Unit, Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (B.B.); (P.S.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Brix B, Sery O, Onorato A, Ure C, Roessler A, Goswami N. Biology of Lymphedema. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10040261. [PMID: 33806183 PMCID: PMC8065876 DOI: 10.3390/biology10040261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Lymphedema is a chronic, debilitating disease of the lymphatic vasculature. Although several reviews focus on the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, this review provides an overview of the lymphatic vasculature and, moreover, of lymphatic system dysfunction and lymphedema. Further, we aim at advancing the knowledge in the area of lymphatic system function and how dysfunction of the lymphatic system—as seen in lymphedema—affects physiological systems, such as the cardiovascular system, and how those might be modulated by lymphedema therapy. Abstract This narrative review portrays the lymphatic system, a poorly understood but important physiological system. While several reviews have been published that are related to the biology of the lymphatic system and lymphedema, the physiological alternations, which arise due to disturbances of this system, and during lymphedema therapy, are poorly understood and, consequently, not widely reported. We present an inclusive collection of evidence from the scientific literature reflecting important developments in lymphedema research over the last few decades. This review aims at advancing the knowledge on the area of lymphatic system function as well as how system dysfunction, as seen in lymphedema, affects physiological systems and how lymphedema therapy modulates these mechanisms. We propose that future studies should aim at investigating, in-detail, aspects that are related to fluid regulation, hemodynamic responses, and endothelial and/or vascular changes due to lymphedema and lymphedema therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Brix
- Gravitational Physiology and Medicine Research Unit, Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 3810 Graz, Austria; (B.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Omar Sery
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | | | - Christian Ure
- Wolfsberg Clinical Center for Lymphatic Disorders, Wolfsberg State Hospital, KABEG, 9400 Wolfsberg, Austria;
| | - Andreas Roessler
- Gravitational Physiology and Medicine Research Unit, Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 3810 Graz, Austria; (B.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Gravitational Physiology and Medicine Research Unit, Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 3810 Graz, Austria; (B.B.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-316-385-73852
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Fluid Shifts Induced by Physical Therapy in Lower Limb Lymphedema Patients. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9113678. [PMID: 33207688 PMCID: PMC7697258 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Complete decongestive therapy (CDT), a physical therapy including manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and compression bandaging, is aimed at mobilizing fluid and reducing limb volume in lymphedema patients. Details of fluid shifts occurring in response to CDT are currently not well studied. Therefore, we investigated fluid shifts before, during and after CDT. Thirteen patients (3 males and 10 females, aged 57 ± 8.0 years, 167.2 ± 8.3 cm height, 91.0 ± 23.4 kg weight) diagnosed with stage II leg lymphedema participated. Leg volume, limb and whole-body fluid composition (total body water (limbTBW/%TBW), extracellular (limbECF/%ECF) and intracellular (limbICF/%ICF fluid), as well as ECF/ICF and limbECF/limbICF ratios were determined using perometry and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy. Plasma volume, proteins, osmolality, oncotic pressure and electrolytes were assessed. Leg volume (p < 0.001), limbECF (p = 0.041), limbICF (p = 0.005) and limbECF/limbICF decreased over CDT. Total leg volume and limbTBW were correlated (r = 0.635). %TBW (p = 0.001) and %ECF (p = 0.007) decreased over time. The maximum effects were seen within one week of CDT. LimbICF (p = 0.017), %TBW (p = 0.009) and %ICF (p = 0.003) increased post-MLD, whereas ECF/ICF decreased due to MLD. Plasma volume increased by 1.5% post-MLD, as well as albumin and the albumin-to-globulin ratio (p = 0.005 and p = 0.049, respectively). Our results indicate that physical therapy leads to fluid shifts in lymphedema patients, with the greatest effects occurring within one week of therapy. Fluid shifts due to physical therapy were also reflected in increased plasma volume and plasma protein concentrations. Perometry, in contrast to bioelectrical impedance analysis, does not seem to be sensitive enough to detect small fluid changes caused by manual lymphatic drainage.
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Eidenberger MM. Manual lymphatic drainage with infantile klippel-trenaunay syndrome: Case report and literature review. COGENT MEDICINE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/2331205x.2018.1524342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mag. Margit Eidenberger
- Bachelor Programme Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr, Austria
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Panniculectomy: Perioperative nursing considerations. Nursing 2017; 47:32-38. [PMID: 28891822 DOI: 10.1097/01.nurse.0000524753.74764.5e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Belcaro G, Dugall M, Hu S, Ledda A, Ippolito E. French Oak Wood (Quercus robur) Extract (Robuvit) in Primary Lymphedema: A Supplement, Pilot, Registry Evaluation. Int J Angiol 2015; 24:47-54. [PMID: 25780327 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1395982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this pilot supplement study was the evaluation of an oak wood extract (Robuvit, Quercus robur [QR], Horphag Research) in an 8-week registry study on lymphatic signs in primary lymphedema. Subjects with primary lymphedema confined to a single leg without skin changes or ulcerations were followed for at least 8 weeks. Lymphedema was mainly present distally (below the knee). Three groups were formed: one group used only the standard management for lymphedema; one used the same management plus 300 mg Robuvit; and one used the standard management plus 600 mg of Robuvit. The three groups were comparable. After 8 weeks the variation in leg volume was on average -6.2% with standard management, -15% in the QR 300 mg group, and -18.9% in the 600 mg group. The edema score was also significantly lower at 8 weeks in the two QR groups. The variation in proteins in the interstitial fluid in comparison with initial values was -14.8% in controls in comparison with -29.9% in QR 300 mg group and -36.9% in QR 600 mg group. Skin flux significantly improved (increased) in the two QR groups. Ultrasound pretibial skin thickness was decreased on average 6% in controls versus 10.3% in the low-dose QR group and 11.8% in the higher dose group. Perimalleolar thickness was decreased 7% in controls and more in the two QR groups. Ankle circumference was decreased 4.4% in controls and more in the two supplement groups. This pilot registry indicates that Robuvit can be effective in the management of primary lymphedema. More patients and longer evaluation periods are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianni Belcaro
- Irvine3 labs, Circulation Sciences, Ch-Pe University, Italy
| | - Mark Dugall
- Irvine3 labs, Circulation Sciences, Ch-Pe University, Italy
| | - Shu Hu
- Irvine3 labs, Circulation Sciences, Ch-Pe University, Italy
| | - Andrea Ledda
- Irvine3 labs, Circulation Sciences, Ch-Pe University, Italy
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