title: Postmastectomy lymphedema management: evolution of the complex decongestive therapy technique.
abstract: Extremity lymphedema, historically a surgical disease, is now successfully managed with a physical therapy regimen called complex decongestive therapy, which originated in Europe. Herein we present a historical perspective on the understanding and treatment of lymphedema. We review a series of 20 patients with postmastectomy arm edema who were treated with complex decongestive therapy and were followed for 6 months. On average these patients achieved a stable 73% reduction in arm circumference.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daane
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poltoratszy
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Rockwell
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome