QUALITY OF LIFE FOLLOWING LIPOSUCTION AND CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF ARM LYMPHEDEMA

Abstract

Arm lymphedema can produce anadditional burden from a psychosocial pointof view. Although edema reduction throughtreatment can be an advantage in terms ofreduced weight of the arm and simplifiedclothing needs, the purpose of the presentstudy was to register changes in psychosocialparameters during one year after treatment.Thirty-five patients underwent liposuctioncombined with postoperative CCT (ControlledCompression Therapy), while 14 receivedCCT alone. Edema volume and range ofmotion in the shoulder joint were measuredand effects on quality of life were assessedwith various questionnaires. Liposuction+CCTremoved the arm lymphedema completely,whereas CCT alone reduced it by half. Thetreatments improved range of motion in theshoulder joint and patients’ quality of life inrelationship to the volume reduction.Liposuction+CCT improves patients’ qualityof life, particularly qualities related to thevolume reduction and hence qualitiesassociated with everyday activities. CCT isbeneficial too, but the effect is less obviousthan when combined with surgery, probablybecause the edema reduction is less. Theconsequences of arm lymphedema for morepsychologically oriented qualities and sociallife in general seem to be less serious and wefound few notable effects of treatment inthese domains.