SKIN BLOOD FLOW OF THE LYMPHEDEMATOUS ARM BEFORE AND AFTER LIPOSUCTION

Abstract

Twelve women with arm lymphedema after breast cancer treatment underwent liposuctionfollowed by external compression with a garment-sleeve. Arm volumes were measured usingwater displacement technique, and skin blood flow was recorded with laser Doppler imaging(LDI). Data was collected before and after (3 and 12 months) liposuction. Episodes ofcellulitis were also recorded.Whereas previous investigations have indicated increased total blood flow in thelymphedematous arm, we found reduced superficial skin blood flow preoperatively.Liposuction produced a median edema reduction of 87% and 97% after 3 and 12 monthsrespectively. Both in the forearm and in the upper arm, skin blood flow increased significantlyafter liposuction and values were similar to those of the non-edematous (control) arm. Alongwith increased skin blood flow, the frequency of cellulitis also decreased.Liposuction effectively reduces arm lymphedema after breast cancer treatment, and alsolowers the incidence of arm cellulitis. Improved local skin blood flow may be an importantcontributing factor to the reduced episodes of arm infection.