Postmastectomy lymphedema management: evolution of the complex decongestive therapy technique.
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.
Daane
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Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Poltoratszy
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P
Rockwell
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WB
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