Lower limb lymphedema in gynecological cancer survivors--effect on daily life functioning.

PURPOSE: Lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is a common condition after pelvic cancer treatment but few studies have evaluated its effect on the quality of life and its consequences on daily life activities among gynecological cancer survivors. METHODS: We identified a cohort of 789 eligible women, treated with pelvic radiotherapy alone or as part of combined treatment of gynecological cancer, from 1991 to 2003 at two departments of gynecological oncology in Sweden. As a preparatory study, we conducted in-depth interviews with gynecological cancer survivors and constructed a study-specific questionnaire which we validated face-to-face. The questionnaire covered physical symptoms originating in the pelvis, demographic, psychological, and quality of life factors. In relation to the lymph system, 19 questions were asked. RESULTS: Six hundred sixteen (78 %) gynecological cancer survivors answered the questionnaire and participated in the study. Thirty-six percent (218/606) of the cancer survivors reported LLL. Overall quality of life was significantly lower among cancer survivors with LLL. They were also less satisfied with their sleep, more worried about recurrence of cancer, and more likely to interpret symptoms from the body as recurrence. Cancer survivors reported that LLL kept them from physical activity (45 %) and house work (29 %) and affected their ability to partake in social activities (27 %) or to meet friends (20 %). CONCLUSION: Lower limb lymphedema has a negative impact on quality of life among gynecological cancer survivors, affecting sleep and daily life activities, yet only a few seek professional help.

Postoperative pain management on surgical wards-impact of database documentation of anesthesia organized services.

Postoperative pain management (POPM) should be based on an organization exploiting existing expertise and documenting the outcome of the POPM in each individual patient. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the adequacy of database documentation of POPM of an anesthesia organized, nurse-based, anesthesiologist-supervised acute pain service (APS) on surgical wards and to assess to what extent the information obtained was continuously used to improve practice. From 2890 registered cases in the database (patient controlled analgesia, n = 1975; epidural analgesia [EDA], n = 915), a homogeneous two-year sample of documentation charts from use of EDA for POPM in connection with major, open, abdominal surgical procedures (n = 381) was chosen for detailed analysis. The data charts contained information on patient data, drug dosage, total amount of infused drug, duration of EDA treatment, occurrence of side effects, and patient's level of satisfaction. The database information was easily accessible making assessment of relevant aspects of the routines, including associations between analgesic technique, patient related factors, and satisfaction with the services, immediately available. Only 58% of the data charts were properly completed and fed into the database but the clinical safety of the missing nondatabase documented sample was not found jeopardized. Although the database documentation routines were considered to fulfill basic requirements of data collection and monitoring of the appropriateness of POPM, they were not found to function optimally. The reason seemed to be inadequate feedback of information between the parties involved in the POPM services. The present study stresses the importance of establishing routines for adequate, continuous feedback of recorded audit data from the APS team to the surgical wards for the maintenance of a high level of compliance with accepted guidelines.