A newly designed SIPC device for management of lymphoedema.

WARNING TO ALL LYMPHEDEMA PATIENTS

This abstract is a prime example of just how bad information can be that is presented even through PubMed.

Lymphology 101 clearly shows that high pressure pneumatic devices can cause serious damage to the good lymphatics, making lymphedema even worse.

Read this for education, but please, please, please, what ever you do never ever ever set the compression level on high if you use a pneumatic device.

A newly designed SIPC device for management of lymphoedema.

PubMed

Pat

Chronic edema of the lower extremities: international consensus recommendations for compression therapy clinical research trials.

August 2012

Stout N, Partsch H, Szolnoky G, Forner-Cordero I, Mosti G, Mortimer P, Flour M, Damstra R, Piller N, Geyer MJ, Benigni JP,Moffat C, Cornu-Thenard A, Schingale F, Clark M, Chauveau M.

Source

Breast Care Department, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA2 Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria3 Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary4 Lymphoedema Unit, University Hospital La Fe Valencia, Spain5 Barbantini-Hospital, Lucca, Italy6 Cardiac anc Vascular Sciences St George's, University of London, London, UK7 Department of Dermatology, University Hospital KU, Leuven, Belgium8 Department of Dermatology, Nij Smellinghe Hospital, Drachten, The Netherlands 9 Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Australia10 Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA11 Hospital Begin, Paris, France12 Thames Valley University, London, UK13 Phlebology Department, Saint Antoine Hospital, Paris, France14 Lympho-Opt Clinic, Pommelsbrunn, Germany15 Wound Healing Research, Cardiff University, UK16 Boucicaut, Fontenay aux Roses, France.

Abstract

Chronic edema is a multifactorial condition affecting patients with various diseases. Although the pathophysiology of edema varies, compression therapy is a basic tenant of treatment, vital to reducing swelling. Clinical trials are disparate or lacking regarding specific protocols and application recommendations for compression materials and methodology to enable optimal efficacy. 

Compression therapy is a basic treatment modality for chronic leg edema; however, the evidence base for the optimal application, duration and intensity of compression therapy is lacking. The aim of this document was to present the proceedings of a day-long international expert consensus group meeting that examined the current state of the science for the use of compression therapy in chronic edema. 

An expert consensus group met in Brighton, UK, in March 2010 to examine the current state of the science for compression therapy in chronic edema of the lower extremities. Panel discussions and open space discussions examined the current literature, clinical practice patterns, common materials and emerging technologies for the management of chronic edema. This document outlines a proposed clinical research agenda focusing on compression therapy in chronic edema. 

Future trials comparing different compression devices, materials, pressures and parameters for application are needed to enhance the evidence base for optimal chronic oedema management. Important outcomes measures and methods of pressure and oedema quantification are outlined. Future trials are encouraged to optimize compression therapy in chronic edema of the lower extremities.

PubMed

Intensive treatment of leg lymphedema.

Apr 2010

Pereira de Godoy JM, Azoubel LM, de Fátima Guerreiro de Godoy M.

Source

Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery and professor of the post graduation course of Medicine School of São Jose do Rio Preto-FAMERP-Brazil.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Despite of all the problems caused by lymphedema, this disease continues to affect millions of people worldwide. Thus, the identification of the most efficacious forms of treatment is necessary.

AIM:

The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel intensive outpatient treatment for leg lymphedema.

METHODS:

Twenty-three legs of 19 patients were evaluated in a prospective randomized study. The inclusion criteria were patients with Grade II and III lymphedema, where the difference, measured by volumetry, between the affected limb below the knee and the healthy limb was greater than 1.5 kg. Intensive treatment was carried out for 6- to 8-h sessions in the outpatient clinic. Analysis of variance was utilized for statistical analysis with an alpha error of 5% (P-value <0.05) being considered significant.

RESULTS:

All limbs had significant reductions in size with the final mean loss being 81.1% of the volume of edema. The greatest losses occurred in the first week (P-value <0.001). Losses of more than 90% of the lymphedema occurred in 9 (39.13%) patients; losses of more than 80% in 13 (56.52%), losses of more than 70% in 17 (73.91%) and losses of more than 50% were rec

CONCLUSION:

The intensive treatment of lymphedema in the outpatient clinic can produce significant reductions in the volume of edema over a short period of time and can be recommended for any grade of lymphedema, in particular the more advanced degrees.

NIH