ABSTRACT
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.