Ultrasonography as an instrument to evaluate lymphedema secondary to breast cancer: systematic review.

Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive disease characterized by fluid accumulation, causing tissue edema as a result of a compromised lymphatic system. Diagnostic ultrasound (DUS) is a method capable of assessing soft tissue characteristics that can be used reliably to diagnose lymphedema as well as for measuring tissue compliance in a clinical setting. This is a systematic review, aiming to evaluate articles that made use of DUS in management of lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. A total of 570 articles were selected, exported to the Rayyan QCRI review program, and then screened by two researchers. From this search, 25 articles were selected after the authors reached consensus and were catalogued as to their main results. Diagnostic ultrasound was identified as an advantageous method that is safe, minimally invasive, low cost, and radiation free and is useful for evaluating the efficacy of therapies used in lymphedema treatment.

Effect of taping as treatment to reduce breast cancer lymphedema: literature review.

Lymphedema is the most common complication during the postoperative period after surgery for breast cancer and can have a direct impact on daily activities. The objective of this study was to review the use of taping as an alternative/complementary treatment to reduce lymphedema. A literature review was conducted of scientific articles indexed on the PubMed, LILACS, MEDLINE, and PEDro databases and Google Scholar, and nine articles were selected. It was found that taping is a complementary therapy for reducing lymphedema, which may be used as an alternative treatment method, but cannot substitute multilayer compression therapy.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Active Exercise Effects on Lymphatic Function Do Not Translate Into Morbidities in Women Who Underwent Breast Cancer Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and active exercise effects on lymphatic alterations of the upper limb (UL), range of motion (ROM) of shoulder, and scar complications after breast cancer surgery. DESIGN: Clinical trial. SETTING: Health care center. PARTICIPANTS: Women (N=105) undergoing radical breast cancer surgery who were matched for staging, age, and body mass index. INTERVENTIONS: Women (n=52) were submitted to MLD and 53 to active exercises for UL for 1 month and followed up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Shoulder ROM, surgical wound inspection and palpation, UL circumference measurements, and lymphoscintigraphy were performed in preoperative and postoperative periods. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups with regard to wound healing complications, ROM, and UL circumferences. After surgery, 25 (48.1%) of the MLD group and 19 (35.8%) of the active exercise group showed worsening in radiopharmaceutical uptake velocity, whereas 9 (17.3%) of the MLD group and 11 (20.8%) of the active exercise group showed improved velocity (P=.445). With regard to uptake intensity, 27 (51.9%) of the MLD group and 21 (39.6%) of the active exercise group showed worsening whereas 7 (13.5%) of the MLD group and 7 (13.2%) of the active exercise group showed some improvement (P=.391). The presence of collateral circulation was similar in both groups at both time points evaluated. The active exercise group had a significant increase in postoperative liver absorption (P=.005), and the MLD group had a significant increase in postoperative dermal backflow (P=.024). CONCLUSIONS: MLD and active exercise effects are equivalent with regard to morbidity. Minor changes in lymphatic function associated with either MLD or active exercises were not related to patients' symptoms or signs.

Lymphatic Function in the Early Postoperative Period of Breast Cancer Has No Short-Term Clinical Impact.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by lymphoscintigraphy the lymphatic function in the preoperative period up to 2 months after surgery for breast cancer, and the relationship between the lymphatic function with clinical features and physical complications. METHODS: One hundred and five women were studied before and 2 months after surgery to treat breast cancer. On each occasion, inspection and palpation of surgical wound, upper limb circumference, and lymphoscintigraphy were performed. Lymphatic function analysis consisted of velocity of axillary lymph node (LN) visualization; intensity of LN uptake; collateral circulation; dermal backflow; and hepatic uptake. RESULTS: In the postoperative period, there was a significant worsening of the degree of LN uptake (p = 0.0003) and in the velocity of LN visualization (p = 0.01). No significant differences in dermal backflow (p = 0.4) and collateral circulation (p = 0,07) were observed. There was a significant increase in liver absorption (p = 0.0002). 37.1% of the patients developed seroma, 11.2% dehiscence, and 25.8% infection. No relationship was found between lymphoscintigraphy changes and postoperative complications or clinical characteristics. CONCLUSION: Lymphoscintigraphy, performed 60 days post surgery for breast cancer, can detect a worsening in lymphatic drainage and some sign of lymphatic changes. These changes are not related to clinical characteristics and physical complications.

Manual lymphatic drainage versus exercise in the early postoperative period for breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of active exercise and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) on postoperative wound healing complications, shoulder range of motion (ROM) and upper limb (UL) perimetry in women undergoing radical mastectomy for breast cancer. METHODS: Controlled non-randomized clinical trial with 89 women undergoing breast cancer surgery with axillary lymph node dissection (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: 906). Women were matched for staging, age and body mass index, with 46 women allocated to the exercise group and 43 in the MLD group, receiving 2 weekly sessions during one month. Assessments were performed in the preoperative and 60 d after surgery, including inspection, palpation, goniometry and perimetry. RESULTS: No significant difference existed between groups relative to individual and clinical surgical characteristics. The incidence of seroma, number of punctures performed, dehiscence and infection was similar in both groups. A comparison of shoulder ROM and UL perimetry between groups, obtained in the preoperative and postoperative period, did not show any significant difference. CONCLUSION: The performance of active exercise or MLD did not demonstrate difference in wound healing complications, shoulder ROM and UL perimetry at 60 d after surgery, suggesting that these techniques may be employed, according to the complaints or symptoms of each woman and physical therapist experience.

Evaluation of lymphatic compensation by lymphoscintigraphy in the postoperative period of breast cancer surgery with axillary dissection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postoperative lymphatic compensation in the upper limb after mastectomy with axillary dissection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients who underwent lymphoscintigraphy before and 60 days after surgery were enrolled from September 2006 to June 2007, in Campinas, Brazil. Protocol examination consisted in static imaging of each upper limb in semi-flexion and thoracic imaging after 10 min and 1 and 2 hr after subcutaneous injection of 1 mCi (37 MBq) of 99mTc dextran into the dorsum of the hand. A comparative analysis was made of hepatic uptake of the radiopharmaceutical, velocity of axillary lymph node visualization (I, visible at 10 min; II, at 1 hr; III, at 2 hr; IV, not visible) and degree (intensity) of uptake (a, marked; b, moderate; c, mild; d, absent) before and 60 days after surgery. RESULTS: In the preoperative period, 3 (13%) patients were considered to have an optimal pattern (Ia) and 2 (9%) showed total involvement (IVd). Compared to velocity in the postoperative period, 9 (39%) patients showed no difference, 5 (22%) improved, 9 (39%) became worse, and one was considerably worse. Regarding the degree, 10 (43%) patients showed no difference, 9 (39%) became worse, and 4 (17%) improved. Regarding classification, 2 (9%) patients had an optimal lymphatic pattern (Ia) and 3 (13%) had total involvement (IVd). No patient presented decreased hepatic uptake after surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study found relevant changes in preoperative and postoperative lymphoscintigraphy, demonstrating the existence of functional differences in the lymphatic system of the upper limb. Alterations in lymphatic drainage pattern may already be perceived 60 days postoperatively, as can signs of lymphovenous anastomoses.

Two exercise schemes in postoperative breast cancer: comparison of effects on shoulder movement and lymphatic disturbance.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: We attempted to determine the best method of performing the exercises in rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery and their influence on postoperative complications. Currently, there are no guidelines for these exercises. The scope of this study was to evaluate the effect of two schemes of physiotherapy exercises (directed or free) on shoulder function and lymphatic disturbance in postoperative rehabilitation. SUBJECTS: Sixty women who underwent a modified radical mastectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary dissection were randomized into two groups. METHODS: The physiotherapy technique used was kinesiotherapy. The directed group performed physiotherapy following a regimen of 19 exercises. The free group performed the exercises following the biomechanical physiological movements of the shoulder without a previously defined sequence or number of repetitions. RESULTS: The averages of the flexion, abduction and external rotational movements of the shoulder showed better recovery with statistical significance in the directed group compared to the free group. There was no significant difference between the groups in lymphatic disturbance. CONCLUSION: At the end of 42 days of follow-up, the movements of flexion, extension, abduction and external rotation of the shoulder were better rehabilitated in the directed group. The two schemes of exercises were not different with regard to lymphatic disturbance.