Inpatient Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema in Acute Postsurgical Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Abstract Introduction Head and neck lymphedema is an omnipresent morbidity related to head and neck cancer therapies. Studies on therapy for these patients in the acute postsurgical population have not been published to date. Objective To assess changes in the measurements of lymphedema in surgical head and neck cancer patients during the hospital stay with implementation of modified decongestive therapy (MDT). Methods Patients aged > 18 years undergoing neck dissection with or without primary-site resection or laryngectomy between 2016 and 2019 were included. Facial measurements were obtained prior to beginning MDT and again prior to discharge. A total facial composite measurement was calculated and used to assess change over time. Rates ≥ 2% of change were considered significant. Results A total of 38 patients were included (subsites: larynx = 27; thyroid =4; oral cavity = 3; and neck = 4). The mean number of days between surgery and the start of lymphedema therapy was 3.0 days. The mean number of days between measurements was 5.2 days. Reduction in the total composite score was observed in 37 (97%) patients, and 35 (92%) patients had a total composite reduction score > 2%. Tumor subsite and surgery type did not portend toward greater percent change, except for those patients treated with total laryngectomy, regional flap reconstruction, and neck dissection (p = 0.02). Conclusion Acute postsurgical inpatient MDT was associated with reduced total composite measurements in patients after head and neck surgery. As the first published study on lymphedema therapy in this acute postsurgical period, further prospective case-control studies are warranted to explore further benefits of acute therapy.

Effects of Seven-step Complex Decongestion Therapy on Upper Limb Lymphedema after Operation for Breast Cancer / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To explore the effects of seven-step complex decongestion therapy (CDT) on post-operative upper limb lymphede-ma of breast cancer. Methods From August, 2015 to September, 2016, 71 patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery accepted CDT for 20 days, including skin care, opening of lymphatic pathway, relief of scar tissue, manual lymphatic drainage, bandage compression, air pressure wave therapy and functional exercise. The circumference of eight sites of both limbs was measured and the differ-ences were calculated before treatment, and one, five, ten, fifteen and twenty days of the treatment. Results The differences of circumfer-ence increased one to 15 days of the treatment (Z>2.03, P<0.05), and decreased 20 days of the treatment (Z=3.01, P<0.01). Conclusion CDT is effective on lymphedema after breast cancer surgery for 20 days of a course, but may worsen in the first 15 days, which may be relat-ed to acute stress response or redistribution of lymph.

Research Progress of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Clinic(review) / 中国康复理论与实践

This article introduced the history and development,and the mechanism of manual lymph drainage(MLD),as well as the classification and identification of edema in clinic.Then the indication and contraindication,and the application in clinical areas,including postoperative cancer,infection with subclinical conditions and surgery,were also elaborated.

Predicting the Effect of Complex Physical Therapy: Utility of Manual Lymph Drainage Performed on Lymphoscintigraphy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of manual lymph drainage (MLD) during lymphoscintigraphy (LS) in predicting the effect of complex physical therapy (CPT). METHOD: Forty seven patients were included in this study. MLD was done for 30 minutes after one hour LS image was obtained. 24 patients were followed up for 3~6 months. According to one hour LS image, patients were assigned to visible lymph node or lymphatic vessel group (Either group) and invisible lymph node and lymphatic vessel group (Neither group), and also according to LS changes after MLD, good and poor response group. The limb volume was checked before, and immediately after CPT, and at 1 month and 3~6 months after CPT. The treatment response was evaluated by percent volume reduction (PVR). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in volume reduction between Either group and Neither group. Otherwise, good response group showed significantly greater volume reduction after CPT than poor response group. Mean PVR in the good response group was 37.02% immediately after CPT, 41.2% at 1 month after CPT, and 47.4% at 3~6 months after CPT. Mean PVR in the poor response group was 19.22% immediately after CPT, 13.0% at 1 month after CPT, and 5.21% at 3~6 months after CPT. CONCLUSION: LS changes after MLD reflected the effects of CPT more accurately than one hour LS image.