Efficacy evaluation of complex decongestive therapy in the treatment of lymphedema

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of complex decongestive therapy(CDT) on breast cancer-related lymphedema.

MethodsA total of 73 patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from September 2017 to November 2018 were treated with CDT.The circumference and diameter of affected limb edema were measured by upper limb circumference and diameter measurement, and the volume of affected limb was calculated.The reducing degree of circumference and diameter of affected limb were evaluated after treatment.The relationship between treatment effect and duration, body mass index, and effects of affected side and course of lymphedema on the therapeutic effects were analyzed.

ResultsAfter CDT, the circumference and diameter of affected limb in 73 cases significantly decreased compared with before treatment(P < 0.01), and the reducing degree of circumference and diameter of affected limb were positively correlated with duration of disease(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The differences of the effects of different body mass index, affected side and course of lymphedema on therapeutic effect of lymphedema were not statistically significant(P>0.05).

ConclusionsCDT can significantly improve the affected limb edema, and the treatment of full course can significantly improve the treatment effect.CDT is an effective treatment for lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.