A Novel Compression Garment With a Dynamic External Lymphatic Drainage System: A Proof of Concept Study.

BACKGROUND

Postoperative compression has been widely used for over half a century to reduce lymphatic stasis, pain, and edema, while promoting healing and optimal skin redraping. However, most commercially available garments share similar designs, with little innovation in recent decades.

OBJECTIVES

To present and evaluate a novel compression garment integrating an external lymphatic drainage system designed to enhance postoperative recovery.

METHODS

Based on anatomical lymphatic pathways, we developed and patented a novel compression garment (Drain Lipo Panty®, DLP) incorporating skin-adherent silicone strips aligned with physiological drainage lines. Prototype garments were designed with unilateral silicone integration, allowing intra-patient comparison. This prospective, single-center study included patients undergoing lipoabdominoplasty and/or lower-limb liposuction. Assessments were performed at postoperative days 0, 7, 15, 30, and 60 by an independent evaluator. Outcomes included objective edema measurements, standardized photographic analysis, and patient-reported comfort scores.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients were included (mean follow-up: 2 months). The silicone-strip side showed faster edema resorption and improved skin recovery. In the lipoabdominoplasty group, edema reduction was significantly greater at day 30 (T1, P = .001; T2, P = .004). In the lower-limb liposuction group, mean circumference reduction was 8.68 cm with the silicone garment vs 6.40 cm with the standard garment (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

This novel compression garment with integrated silicone drainage strips demonstrated faster edema resolution, earlier ecchymosis recovery, and improved skin redraping, suggesting a beneficial role in postoperative lymphatic rehabilitation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: : 3 (Therapeutic).