Effects of different elastic bandages dressing on breast cancer associated lymphedema

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of different elastic bandages dressing on breast cancer associated lymphoedema. Methods From May to December 2018, 38 patients with breast cancer associated lymphoedema admitted to lymphoedema nursing outpatient were treated with complex decongestion therapy (CDT) , which is a combined dressing with foam block bandage, low elastic bandage and high elasticity bandage. The perimeter of the affected limb were measured 1 day before treatment, 10 and 20 days after treatment. The limb perimeter difference ratio, tissue water ratio and skin fibrosis rate were compared between 1 day before treatment and 20 days after treatment. Results After 10 and 20 days of treatment, the perimeters were all lower than those before treatment at 5 measuring points, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . The limb perimeter difference ratio, tissue water ratio and skin fibrosis rate 20 days after treatment were all lower than before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusions CDT treatment with different elastic bandages can effectively reduce the degree of breast cancer associated lymphoedema, shorten the course of treatment, and reduce the degree of lymphoedema skin fibrosis, which is worthy of clinical promotion. Key words: Neoplasm, breast; Lymphoedema; Elastic bandages; Dressing; Complex decongestion therapy