Home-based Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy for Gynecologic Cancer

Home-based Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy: the Impact in Chronic Leg Lymphedema in Patients Treated for Gynecologic Cancer

Investigators conducted a prospective study of cancer patients to investigate the efficacy, quality of life, satisfaction, and safety of a home-based intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device during the maintenance phase of lower extremity lymphedema. This device has a unique mode designed to mimic the manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) technique and thereby gently facilitate lymphatic draining of proximal extremities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• stage 3 chronic unilateral secondary leg lymphedema
• aged 20-70 years
• underwent 1-2 cycle of treatment of decongestive phase with current inter-limb volume difference of more than 10%
• stable limb-volume change (within 10%) during the preceding 3 months
• capacity for self-maintenance care for lymphedema (multilayer limb bandaging, compression garments, and MLD)

Exclusion Criteria:

• bilateral leg lymphedema
• current cancer metastasis
• ongoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• acute inflammation
• venous thrombosis, or chronic venous insufficiency
• systemic etiologies of edema
• congestive heart failure
• patients taking medication that influenced body fluid or electrolytes