ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of manual and mechanical lymph drainage on the bioelectrical composition of body tissues of patients with lymphoedema of the lower limbs. METHOD: Twenty-one patients with lymphoedema of one leg were evaluated using single frequency bioelectrical impedance with four electrodes (SF-BIA4) immediately before and after a combination of manual and mechanical lymph drainage. Statistical analysis used the two-tailed paired t-test with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable. RESULTS: On comparing the results before and after lymph drainage, statistically significant differences were identified for both lymphoedematous and apparently healthy legs, but there were no significant differences in the alterations caused by the treatment between the healthy and lymphoedematous limbs of the same patient. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the association of manual and mechanical lymph drainage both modified the body composition as identified by bioelectrical impedance, and reduced the oedema.
Subject(s)
Body Composition , Leg/physiopathology , Lymph , Lymphedema/physiopathology , Electric Impedance , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
The objective of the current study was to evaluate the sensitivity and the specificity of perimetry combined with volumetry in the treatment of lymphedema. Ninety women, who had been submitted to breast cancer surgery, were randomly selected in the Government Healthcare Clinic for this study. Only patients who underwent surgical treatment of breast cancer with some degree of lymphadenectomy were included in the study cohort. Individuals with active disease, whether local or otherwise, functional alterations of the upper limbs before breast cancer surgery were not included. The following possibilities were considered: 1--the perimetry evaluation was considered positive when the difference between the affected and unaffected sides was > or =2 cm for any one of the seven measurements and volumetry was > or = 100 mL; 2--perimetry > or =2 cm and volumetry > or =200 mL; 3--a difference > 10% between the two limbs in volumetry and perimetry. Prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were evaluated statistically with an alpha error of 5% considered acceptable (p-value < 0.05). The mean age of the women was 54.8 +/- 11.7 years. The sensitivity, negative predictive value and accuracy were higher using perimetry when a volume > or =2 cm were considered. The specificity and positive predictive values were better when the difference was greater than 10% between the two limbs by both perimetry and volumetry. Perimetry is a reliable method in the diagnosis of lymphedema when differences > or =2 cm between the two limbs should be considered.
Subject(s)
Anthropometry , Arm , Lymphedema/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Lymphedema/etiology , Mastectomy/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Introducción. Debido a la necesidad de disponer de un aparato que facilite el drenaje de edemas, hemos desarrollado uno expresamente para este propósito. Objetivo. Realizar una demostración del uso del equipo y comprobar su eficacia. Casos clínicos. Se estudió a seis pacientes con linfedema de las extremidades inferiores. El tratamiento consistía en usar el aparato nuevo, que reproduce de forma pasiva la flexión y la extensión del pie, durante un período de tres horas. Se realizó una pletismografía antes y después del tratamiento como método de evaluación. Se evaluó la interferencia gravitatoria dejando a los pacientes del grupo de referencia en posición horizontal durante el mismo período. Cinco de los seis pacientes mostraron una mejoría en la prueba del volumen tras el uso del aparato. Conclusión. Este nuevo aparato fue de ayuda en el drenaje de edemas
Introduction. Due to the need of an apparatus to assist with oedema drainage, we have developed one specifically for this purpose. Aim. To demonstrate the use of the equipment and to prove its effectiveness. Case reports. Six patients with lymphoedema of the lower limbs were evaluated. The treatment involved the use of the new apparatus for a threehour period, which passively reproduces flexion and extension of the foot. A plethysmography was completed before and after the treatment as a method of evaluation. Gravitational interference was assessed by leaving the patients control group flat during the same period of time. Five of the six patients showed an improvement in the volume test after the use of the apparatus. Conclusion. This new apparatus assisted in oedema drainage
