title: [Current wound care in patients with elephantiasis--third-stage lymphedema].
abstract: Lymphedema resulting from fluid accumulation due to impairment in the lymphatic system drainage leads to enlargement of the body part involved. If left untreated, in its third stage it results in elephantiasis. Elephantiasis is frequently accompanied by papillomatosis and lymphocutaneous fistulas with lymphorrhoea, erosions and ulcers, frequently with the loss of function in the respective part of the body. Unlike other chronic wounds, wound healing in lymphedema is highly dependent on the use of combined therapies because local treatment with modern supportive dressings and compression therapy with adhesive and non-adhesive short-stretch systems is only part of the complete treatment. This treatment also includes sub-bandage foamy materials, kinesitherapy with tapes (kinesiotaping), intermittent local application of high-pressure oxygen, breathing exercise, and manual lymph drainage and exercises.
authors.affiliation: Ljubljana University Hospital Center, University Department of Dermatovenereology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tanja Planinsek
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Rucigaj
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slana
authors.forename: Nada Kecelj
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Leskovec
mesh_terms: D004604:Elephantiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male