Abstract
Objective We aim to explore the clinical effect of manual lymph drainage as a complex decongestive therapy on improving upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer operation. Methods Manual lymph drainage was performed on 28 patients with lymphedema after receiving breast cancer operation. Circumference measurement was done at transverse palmar crease, transverse carpal crease, 10cm below transverse cubital crease, 10 cm above transverse cubital crease and 20 cm above transverse cubital crease at the first day before treatment and 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks after treatment. The movement of shoulder joints, pain and numbness of patients were recorded. Results After 3 weeks of manual lymph drainage, the circumference at transverse palmar crease, transverse carpal crease, 10cm below transverse cubital crease, 10 cm above transverse cubital crease and 20 cm above transverse cubital crease was significantly lower than that before treatment. The detumescence of the middle segment of forearm (10 cm below transverse cubital crease) was better than that of the middle segment of upper arm (10 cm above transverse cubital crease) and the superior segment of upper arm (20 cm above transverse cubital crease) with a significant difference (P<0.05). After the treatment of manual lymph drainage, the life quality of patients improved greatly and there was a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Manual lymph drainage as a complex decongestive therapy for lymphedema after breast cancer operation is safe, effective and thus well worth clinical application.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most common cancerous diseases among women [1, 2]
It is reported that the incidence of upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy is 13.6%-20.2% [3]
If no intervention is given to lymphedema, pain in the affected upper limb, edema, numbness, chill and high fever will appear and lead to abnormal skin appearance, infection and axillary web syndrome, lowering the quality of patients’ life [4, 5]
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancerous diseases among women [1, 2]. Currently, the major treatment for invasive breast cancer are operations, most of which is modified radical operation. It is reported that the incidence of upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy is 13.6%-20.2% [3]. If no intervention is given to lymphedema, pain in the affected upper limb, edema, numbness, chill and high fever will appear and lead to abnormal skin appearance, infection and axillary web syndrome, lowering the quality of patients’ life [4, 5]. Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) has become one of the standard treatments for lymphedema and has been effectively applied to postoperative lymphedema [6]. CDT includes personalized skin care, professional manual lymph drainage, low-elastic bandaging and functional exercise of the affected limb, etc. The decongestive intervention effectively promotes return of the lymph that is stagnated in Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care 2019; 5(4): 45-49 the breast tissues and reduces axillary web syndrome.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
