Web Axillary Pain Syndrome-Literature Evidence and Novel Rehabilitative Suggestions: A Narrative Review.

Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is defined as a visible and palpable network of cords in the skin of the axillary cavity that are tensed by shoulder abduction following surgery for breast cancer, causing significant functional limits of the ipsilateral upper limb (UL) and pain. The purpose of this narrative review is to discuss rehabilitation approaches for greater efficacy with respect to pain and novel suggestions. AWS is a frequent complication of axillary lymphadenectomy that necessitates a thorough follow-up in the medium to long term. Physiotherapy is effective in the treatment of functional limb deficits, the management of pain, and the treatment of upper limb disability. The best management approach involves the use of soft tissue techniques to slow the natural course of the syndrome, in association with therapeutic exercises for functional recovery and muscle strengthening. AWS is linked secondary lymphedema, requiring integration with manual lymphatic drainage. The physiotherapy management of AWS is currently fragmented, and insufficient information is available on the nature of the disease. Thus, randomized and controlled studies that compare rehabilitation approaches in AWS are desirable, including the possibility of using mesotherapy in the treatment of axillary and upper limb pain.

A Call to Action by the Italian Mesotherapy Society on Scientific Research.

Mesotherapy (local intradermal therapy, LIT) is a technique used to slowly spread drugs in tissues underlying the site of injection to prolong the pharmacological effect with respect to intramuscular injection. Recommendations for proper medical use of this technique have been made for pain medicine and rehabilitation, chronic venous disease, sport medicine, musculoskeletal disorders, several dermatological conditions, skin ageing, and immune-prophylaxis. Although mesotherapy is considered a valid technique, unresolved questions remain, which should be answered to standardize methodology and dosing regimen as well as to define the right indications in clinical practice. New randomized controlled trials are needed to test single products (dose, frequency of administration, efficacy and safety). Even infiltration of substances for dermo-cosmetic purposes must be guided by safety and efficacy tests before being proposed by mesotherapy. In this article, we put forth a preclinical and clinical research plan and a health technology assessment as a call to action by doctors, researchers and scientific societies to aid national health authorities in considering mesotherapy for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation paths.

Mesotherapy: From Historical Notes to Scientific Evidence and Future Prospects.

Intradermal therapy, known as mesotherapy, is a technique used to inject a drug into the surface layer of the skin. In particular, it involves the use of a short needle to deposit the drug in the dermis. The intradermal microdeposit modulates the drug's kinetics, slowing absorption and prolonging the local mechanism of action. It is successfully applied in the treatment of some forms of localized pain syndromes and other local clinical conditions. It could be suggested when a systemic drug-sparing effect is useful, when other therapies have failed (or cannot be used), and when it can synergize with other pharmacological or nonpharmacological therapies. Despite the lack of randomized clinical trials in some fields of application, a general consensus is also reached in nonpharmacological mechanism of action, the technique execution modalities, the scientific rationale to apply it in some indications, and the usefulness of the informed consent. The Italian Mesotherapy Society proposes this position paper to apply intradermal therapy based on scientific evidence and no longer on personal bias.

Should the General Practitioner Consider Mesotherapy (Intradermal Therapy) to Manage Localized Pain?

Wide variations in the types of pain and response to analgesic pharmacotherapy mean that a variety of treatment strategies are needed. One approach is mesotherapy (intradermal therapy). This consists of microinjections into the skin and is ideally suited to the management of localized pain. Advantages include increasing the duration of drug activity, reduced risk of adverse events and interactions, and possible synergy with other therapies. Mesotherapy provides general practitioners with another tool for the treatment of local pain. However, it is important to provide patients with full details of the pros and cons of this approach and obtain informed patient consent.

[Informed consent and experimental treatments: the case of mesotherapy]. / Consenso informato e trattamenti sperimentali: il caso della mesoterapia.

Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive technique based on the introduction of pharmacologically active compounds in the surface layer of the skin. The intradermal route has been known for many years and it has the aim of reducing the dose and slowing the diffusion into the underlying tissues. Mesotherapy requires a clinical diagnosis and informed consent. Patient should be well informed about potential benefits, limitations, and risks (even mild). The process of doctor-patient interaction in mesotherapy is an example of compliance with the basic concept: "first do no harm" and, at the same time, the advantage for the patient to conclude a "therapeutic alliance". We propose a draft form to facilitate the decision-making process.

Intradermal therapy (mesotherapy) with lymdiaral in chronic venous insufficiency and associated fibrosclerotic edema damage: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) induces alterations that cause fibrosclerotic edema of the subcutaneous tissue. This study examined the effects of a complex naturopathic compound with vasoactive and antiedema activities (Lymdiaral®) administered intradermally. PATIENTS: 40 patients with signs and symptoms of CVI and associated fibrosclerotic edema of the subcutaneous tissue. OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy was assessed by using clinical investigation, subjective and objective measures, and ultrasonography performed at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients completed the study; 6 of the original 40 (15%) had stopped for reasons unrelated to study treatment. The treatment was well tolerated. Fifteen adverse reactions were reported among a total of 378 doses administered (3.97%). None of these reactions were severe or required discontinuation of treatment. Subjective symptoms and objective measures improved, and ultrasonography showed statistically significant changes in hypodermal thickness of the medial aspect of the knees. CONCLUSIONS: Its open-label design and small sample size notwithstanding, this study indicates that intradermal therapy, according to the recommendation of the Italian Society of Mesotherapy, may provide a valuable contribution to the treatment of CVI and related fibrosclerotic edema of the subcutaneous tissue by prolonging the local effect of the pharmacologically active compounds. Comparative studies are needed to identify the broader clinical and economic benefits of local therapy compared with other systemic therapies.