ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

International Angiology 2013 October;32(5):479-82

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Mobilization of fluids in large volumetric reductions during intensive treatment of leg lymphedema

Pereira De Godoy J. M. ¹, Franco Brigidio P. A. ², Salles Cunha S. X. ³, Batigália F. ⁴, De Fatima Guerreiro Godoy M. ⁵ ✉

¹ Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Department of the Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Brazil; ² Godoy Clinic São Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil; ³ Laboratório Vascular Não Invasivo and Angiolab, Godoy Clinic Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil; ⁴ Anatomy Department, Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Brazil; ⁵ Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Godoy Clinic, São Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil

Aim: The aim of the current study was to evaluate fluid mobilization during the intensive treatment of leg lymphedema.
Methods: The mobilization of intracellular and extracellular fluids in the lower and upper extremities and trunk was evaluated with the intensive treatment of leg lymphedema in a prospective study. Mobilization of fluids was assessed by bioelectrical impedance using the InBody S10 device in ten patients with leg lymphedema, regardless of the cause. Treatment consisted of six to eight hours per day of Manual Lymphatic Therapy (Godoy & Godoy technique), Mechanical Lymphatic Therapy (RAGodoy device®) and a non-elastic cotton-polyester stocking.
Results and conclusion: A significant reduction in total water was observed for the lymphedematous limb, but with an increase in intracellular water of from 59% to 61%. Additionally, total water increases were observed in the limbs without lymphedema and in the trunk. There was an increase in total intracellular water of the extremities and trunk, but without any change in the extracellular water. In high-volume reductions during lymphedema treatment, fluids are displaced from the lymphedematous limb to extremities without lymphedema and to the trunk.