Lymphedema Management – A Clinical Approach
Lymphedema is a chronic lymphatic system disorder marked by decreased lymphatic return and swelling in the affected area. Despite the fact that it is a major cause of morbidity, little is known about the disease’s epidemiology and impact on individuals and health systems. The goal of lymphedema treatment is to slow or stop the progression of swelling while also preventing infection. Moisturizers and emollients, compression bandages, isotonic exercise, and regular massage are used to treat the disease. The concept of promoting lymphatic drainage through external physical means has a strong physiological foundation. However, given the dearth of evidence on the relative effectiveness of currently available techniques, depending on a single strategy is unlikely. The study’s goal was to look into lymphedema from a clinical standpoint, provide treatment, and track the results.
The study included 33 patients who presented to a plastic surgery department with lymphedema. Patients with congenital lymphedema were excluded from the research. The treatment for each patient was tailored to their particular requirements. Patients were evaluated for the efficacy of the medication they had started at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. The treatment included limb elevation, attentive skin care, and remedial physiotherapy, as well as complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP), the use of elasto-compressive bandages, and multi-layered lymphedema bandages (MLLD).
The 33 patients were divided into 12 males and 20 girls. Eleven patients had upper-extremity lymphedema, twenty-one had lower-extremity lymphedema, and one had scrotal lymphedema. The patients received conservative treatment, pneumatic compression, complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP), or Miller’s Debulking Procedure. The outcome of treatment was evaluated using both volumetric evaluation and patient satisfaction. Following that, necessary adjustments to the treatment were made.
Lymphedema is a severe disease that has a negative impact on the patient’s physical and mental health. Involvement of the patient in the management process is also recommended. It’s also important to treat the patient’s psychological requirements. Treatment should be tailored to the person, with adjustments made as needed. A comprehensive approach will be employed in the absence of a definitive therapy.
Author (S) Details
Naveen Narayan
Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B G Nagara, Karnataka, India.
Vikram Ramamurthy
Department of General Surgery, Sri Siddhartha Institute Of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru Rural, Karnataka, India.
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