INTRODUCTION Lymphedema remains a challenging clinical problem. A new field of lymphatic surgery using micro and super microsurgery techniques is a rapidly advancing field aimed to treat recalcitrant cases. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes and complications of vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT). Several early preliminary studies have reported promising outcomes, but the...

BACKGROUND Lymphedema may be identified by simpler circumference changes as compared with changes in limb volume. METHODS Ninety breast cancer patients were prospectively enrolled in an academic trial, and seven upper extremity circumferences were measured quarterly for 3 years. A 10% volume increase or greater than 1 cm increase in arm circumference identified lymphedema with verification by...

introduction Lymphedema is a chronic, debilitating disorder characterized by abnormal tissue swelling, adipose deposition, tissue fibrosis, and edema resulting from disruption, blockage, or genetic abnormalities of the lymphatic system.[1] It arises most commonly as a consequence of cancer or the treatments of cancer. Upper extremity lymphedema is commonly associated with the treatment of breas...

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of deep-breathing and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching exercises on upper limb lymphedema in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The study consisted of 10 patients with lymphedema that had occurred after stroke. Neurodevelopmental treatment was applied in the same manner as that used for the existing treatm...

Lymphedema can be defined as the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich interstitial fluid that occurs primarly as a consequence of malformation or acquired distruption of the lymphatic circulation. Upper extremity lymphedema can develop in a significant proportion of patients after mastectomy. Currently, complex decongestive physical therapy is accepted as international standard treatment appro...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the changing patterns of edema, quality of life (QOL), and patient-satisfaction after complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in three trajectories: arm lymphedema (AL), secondary leg lymphedema (LL) and primary leg lymphedema (PL). METHODS Candidates for AL (n=35), LL (n=35) and PL (n=14) were identified from prospective databases. The patients were treated with CDT for 2...

INTRODUCTION Breast-cancer-related lymphedema affects approximately 25% of breast cancer (BC) survivors and may impact use of the upper limb during activity. The purpose of this study is to compare upper extremity (UE) impairment and activity between women with and without lymphedema after BC treatment. METHODS 144 women post BC treatment completed demographic, symptom, and Disability of Arm-...

The Stewart-Treves syndrome is a rare and deadly entity, which is defined as angiosarcoma arising in the setting of chronic lymphedema. It typically presents in women who develop lymphedema in the upper extremity secondary to axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer surgery. It is extremely uncommon in the lower extremities as a result of idiopathic chronic lymphedema. Here, we present ...

Lymphedema is a chronic disorder which can adversely affect quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate whether QOL was improved in patients with lymphedema following Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), and 2) whether limb volume change as a result of treatment correlated with change in QOL. Thirty-six patients with peripheral lymphedema from varying causes were enrolle...

OBJECTIVE To define the immediate and long-term volumetric reduction following complete decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) for lymphedema. DESIGN Prospective study of consecutively treated patients. SETTING Freestanding outpatient referral centers. PATIENTS Two hundred ninety-nine patients referred for evaluation of lymphedema of the upper (2% primary, 98% secondary) or lower (61.3% primary...