title: Microwave heating in the management of postmastectomy upper limb lymphedema.
abstract: The results of treating chronic lymphedema using microwave heating are described in 45 patients with postmastectomy lymphedema of the upper extremity. Forty-five patients showed a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the amount of peripheral edema after two courses of treatment. The incidence and severity of secondary acute inflammation (erysipelas) were also sharply reduced (p < 0.01). The elasticity of the soft tissue was restored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: R X
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008408:Mastectomy; D008872:Microwaves; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index