Influência da fisioterapia complexa descongestiva associada à ingestão de triglicerídeos de cadeia média no tratamento do linfedema de membro superior / Influence of complex descongestive physical therapy associated with intake of medium-chain triglycerides for treating upper-limb lymphedema

OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência da utilização da fisioterapia complexa descongestiva associada à dietoterapia com triglicerídeos de cadeia média (TCM) como forma de intervenção no linfedema de membro superior (MS). MÉTODOS: Para a avaliação do linfedema, foram utilizadas cirtometria, volumetria, pregas cutâneas e quantidade de água corporal total. A Escala Visual Análoga (EVA) foi utilizada para avaliar as sensações de desconforto, peso e dor no MS. Participaram deste estudo dez mulheres mastectomizadas com linfedema de MS homolateral à cirurgia, com idade média de 65,9 ± 10,4 anos e índice de massa corpórea (IMC) de 26,8 ± 3,0kg/m² que, após avaliação nutricional, foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: Grupo Controle (n= 5), submetido ao tratamento fisioterapêutico constando da terapia complexa descongestiva (massagem clássica, drenagem linfática manual, bandagem compressiva e cuidados com a pele) três vezes na semana, durante quatro semanas; Grupo TCM (n= 5), submetido ao mesmo protocolo fisioterapêutico somado ao tratamento dietético diário com ingestão de TCM, por quatro semanas. RESULTADOS: Ao final da intervenção, a análise da cirtometria e da volumetria mostraram diferenças significativas entre os grupos (< 0,05), com maior redução do linfedema no Grupo TCM. Não houve diferença significativa nos valores das pregas cutâneas e da quantidade de água corporal total. A sensação de peso no membro superior, antes e após a intervenção, foi significativamente menor (< 0,05) no Grupo TCM. CONCLUSÕES: O tratamento fisioterapêutico somado à dietoterapia com ingestão de TCM em mulheres portadoras de linfedema de MS pós-cirurgia e tratamento de câncer de mama foi efetivo na involução desta condição.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of complex decongestive physical therapy (CDP) in association with diet therapy using medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), as an intervention in cases of upper-limb lymphedema. METHODS: The lymphedema was evaluated by measuring circumferences, volumes, skin folds and whole-body water content. Feelings of discomfort, pain and heaviness in the arms were evaluated using a visual analog scale. Ten women who had undergone mastectomy and presented upper-limb lymphedema homolateral to the surgery participated in this study. Their mean age was 65.9 ± 10.4 years and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.8 ± 3.0kg/m². After nutritional evaluation, they were randomly divided into two groups: the Control Group (n= 5), which underwent physical therapy treatment consisting of CDP (classical massage, manual lymphatic drainage, compression taping and skincare) three times a week, for four weeks; and the MCT Group (n= 5), which underwent the same physical therapy protocol with the addition of daily diet therapy consisting of intake of MCT, for four weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention, analysis of the circumference and volume measurements showed significant differences between the groups (< 0.05), with a greater reduction in lymphedema in the MCT Group. There were no significant differences in the skin fold measurements or whole-body water content. The feeling of heaviness in the arms after the intervention was significantly less in the MCT Group (< 0.05), compared with before the intervention. CONCLUSION: Physical therapy treatment together with diet therapy with intake of MCT in women with upper-limb lymphedema following surgery and breast cancer treatment was effective in reverting this condition.

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.

Cause and Treatment of Lymphedema

INTRODUCTION: Lymphedema develops due to the abnormality of the transport capacity of the lymphatic system. Clinically lymphedema is not only a cosmetic deformity, but also a disabling and distressing condition. CLASSIFICATION: Primary lymphedema is an inborn defect caused by such condition as absence or underdevelopment of the lymphatic system. It occurs in approximately 1 in 10,000 persons less than 20 years of age, with females being affected more frequently than males. Secondary lymphedema is an acquired condition resulting from loss or obstruction of the previously normal lymphatic system due to infection, tumor, filariasis and other miscellaneous conditions. CLINICAL FEATURES: Clinical symptoms and signs depend on the duration and the severity of the lymphedema. In the early stage of disease, the edema is soft and pits easily with pressure (pitting edema) and may decrease or disappear with elevation of the limbs. In the advanced stage, the skin texture turns woody as the surrounding tissue becomes indurated and fibrotic. DIAGNOSIS: Lymphangiography was introduced in the early 19th century. But there are several drawbacks to this procedure, including the complexity of the procedure, irradiation by contrast agent that may result in lymphangitis and potentially worsen the lymphedema. Lymphoscintigraphy is easier to perform than lymphangiography and is not reported to cause lymphangitis. Lymphoscintigraphy is gradually replacing lymphangiography. TREATMENT: The mainstay of the treatment is complex decongestive physical therapy including leg elevation, elastic or rigid compression, manual lymph drainage, and intermittent pneumatic compression. When the function of the limb is significantly impaired, surgical reduction is considered. The surgery is not curative, but it can make the disorder more manageable by complex decongestive physical therapy.