Brorson H, Svensson H, et al.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Date of publication 1998 Sep 1;volume 102(4):1058-67; discussion 1068.
1. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998 Sep;102(4):1058-67; discussion 1068.
Liposuction combined with controlled compression therapy reduces arm lymphedema
more effectively than controlled compression therapy alone.
Brorson H(1), Svensson H.
Author information:
(1)Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Malmö University Hospital,
Sweden.
Arm lymphedema after breast cancer therapy has been treated with various forms of
conservative and surgical treatment during recent years. The clinical results
usually have been modest or, in some instances, even disappointing. In a previous
series of patients treated with the new liposuction technique combined with
controlled compression therapy, we found, however, an overall edema reduction of
106 percent after 1 year. The purpose of this study was both to investigate how
much the surgical procedure contributes to the outcome and to clarify the
importance of controlled compression therapy. Twenty-eight patients were,
therefore, prospectively matched into two groups. One group received liposuction
combined with controlled compression therapy, and one group received the therapy
alone. Additionally, the therapy group was compared with our complete group of
patients treated thus far with liposuction combined with therapy (n = 30). The
prospective study using matched pairs (n = 14) showed that liposuction combined
with controlled compression therapy is significantly more effective than the
therapy alone (p < 0.0001), with a mean difference of about 1000 ml during the
entire 1-year observation period. The beneficial effect of liposuction was
confirmed by the comparison between the controlled compression therapy group and
our complete group of patients treated with liposuction combined with the
therapy, as the edema reduction figures after 1 year were 47 percent and 104
percent, respectively (p < 0.0001). In six patients who had surgery and a
complete reduction of the edema, the compression garments were removed for 1
week, 1 year postoperatively. A marked increase in the arm volume was observed,
which was immediately remedied by reapplying the garments. We conclude that
liposuction combined with controlled compression therapy reduces arm lymphedema
more efficiently than the therapy alone. Continued use of compression garments
is, however, important to maintain the primary surgical outcome.
PMID: 9734424 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
