[A microcirculatory change induced by comprehensive anti-edematous therapy in patients with lower limb lymphedema].

AIM: To study the impact of comprehensive anti-edematous therapy (CAET) on the microcirculatory indicators of patients with lower limb lymphedema.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The investigation enrolled 60 patients with stages I-III lower limb lymphedema (according to its classification (T.V. Savchenko and A.V. Pokrovsky, 2004). All the patients were randomly divided into two groups: 1) 30 patients received CAET; 2) 30 patients had basic therapy with a conventional lymphovenous tonic and elastic compression. The time course of microcirculatory changes were evaluated in all the patients, by using laser Doppler flowmetry.

RESULTS

Analysis of the findings revealed that all the patients had spastic and stagnant microcirculation prior to treatment. After a treatment cycle, group 1 showed positive changes in the clinical manifestations of the disease and in the microcirculation, while group 2 displayed slight reductions in sensation of heaviness, leg swelling, as well as positive changes at the level of the venules of the microcirculatory bed.

CONCLUSION

This investigation of microcirculatory indicators in patients with lower limb lymphedema revealed a considerable improvement at the level of all microcirculatory components (arterioles, precapillaries, and venules) after CAET.