Negative pressure versus intermittent pneumatic compression on lymphedema post mastectomy / Shahira Sami Abdelmawgod Abdelrazeq ; Supervised Amal Mohamed Abdelbaky , Samy Ramzy Shahata , Hussein Gamal Hussein Mogahed , Hussein Gamal Hussein Mogahed

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery

Background and Objective: Postoperative lymphedema post mastectomy is a secondary lymphedema that alters lymph drainage of the breast. Its signs and symptoms include increased weight and size of the limb. Materials and Methods: Thirty female patients suffering from unilateral upper limb lymphedema post mastectomy.Their ages were ranged from 40 to 60 years. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: Group (A) composed of 15 female patients who received negative pressure therapy for 30min in addition to their physical therapy program (elevation and active range of motion exercises), hygiene and skin care. Group (B) composed of 15 female patients who received intermittent pneumatic compression for 30min in addition to their physical therapy program (elevation and active range of motion exercises), hygiene and skin care. Methods of evaluation were circumference measurement and volumetric measurement. The study conducted for six months from July 2019 to December 2019. Results: There were a decrease in limb volume and limb circumference post treatment in both groups compared with that pretreatment.There was a significant decrease in limb volume of the group B compared with that of the group A.Conclusion: There was a difference between before and after treatment between both groups, but treatment with intermittent pneumatic compression device was effective in reducing limb volume and limb circumference than negative pressure therapy so that intermittent pneumatic compression can be considered more effective in reducing lymphedema post mastectomy

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