EFFICACY OF MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE IN PREVENTING SECONDARY LYMPHEDEMA AFTER BREAST CANCER SURGERY

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness ofmanual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in theprevention of secondary lymphedema aftertreatment of breast cancer. The studyconsisted of 67 women, who underwent breastsurgery for primary breast cancer. From thesecond day of surgery, 33 randomly chosenwomen were given MLD. The control groupconsisted of 34 women who did not receiveMLD. Measurements of the volumes of boththe arms were taken before surgery and ondays 2, 7, 14, and at 3 and 6 months aftersurgery. At 6 months after breast cancersurgery, among the women who did notundergo MLD, a significant increase in thearm volume on the operated side was observed(p=0.0033) when compared with the armvolume before surgery. At this time, there wasno statistically significant increase in thevolume of the upper limb on the operatedside in women who underwent MLD. Thisstudy demonstrates that regardless of thesurgery type and the number of the lymphnodes removed, MLD effectively preventedlymphedema of the arm on the operated side.Even in high risk breast cancer treatments(operation plus irradiation), MLD wasdemonstrated to be effective against armvolume increase. Even though confirmatorystudies are needed, this study demonstratesthat MLD administered early after operationfor breast cancer should be considered for theprevention of lymphedema.