Complex Decongestive Therapy for Lower Extremity Lymphedema: Results from a Tertiary Care Center

Objective: Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is the gold standard of lymphedema treatment. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CDT in patients with lower extremity lymphedema. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, demographic data, disease characteristics, percentage of excess volume, and lymphedema volume to body mass index (LV/BMI) ratio of lower extremity lymphedema subjects were analyzed. Results: Treatment outcomes of 198 extremities from 127 patients were analyzed. Pre- and post-treatment LV/BMI values were significantly higher in the venous insufficiency group. Lymphedema grade was found to have a positive and significant correlation with BMI (p<0.05). Post-treatment LV/BMI values showed a positive correlation with patients’ activity levels and number of radiotherapy sessions (p<0.05). Conclusion: We have observed that primary lymphedema responds equally well to CDT as does cancer-related lymphedema. We have also detected similar volume reduction values with CDT in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.