Relevance of low-pressure compression corsets in physiotherapeutic treatment of patients after mastectomy and lymphadenectomy

Figures & data

Figure 1 Postradiation changes in the chest wall on the right side.

Note: Ultrasound scan shows swelling in the midaxillary line in the lower side of the tumor bed of the mammary gland 8 months after irradiation.

Figure 2 Multichamber pneumatic pump in the form of jacket used in compression therapy.

Figure 3 Lymphedema on the operated chest wall in three patients (front view, 3 months after the surgery; back view, 9 months after the surgery; and side view, 6 months after the surgery).

Figure 4 The average age of patients in both subgroups.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 1 The average age of patients in both subgroups

Variables	Number of patients	Average age (years)	Standard deviation
Subgroup G (with the compression corsets)	19	62.37	12.94
Subgroup K (control)	18	62.50	11.98

Table 2 Median BMI values in both subgroups

Variable	Number of patients	Average	Standard deviation
Subgroup G (with the compression garment)	19	28.42	5.11
Subgroup K (control)	18	27.28	6.92

Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index.

Figure 5 Ultrasound measuring points before mastectomy (measurement I).

Figure 6 Ultrasound measuring points after mastectomy (measurements II, III, and IV).

Figure 7 Compression corset which helps relieve lymphatic system (back view, front view, and side view).

Figure 8 VAS with numeric values.

Abbreviation: VAS, visual analog scale.

Figure 9 Average thickness ratios of the subcutaneous tissue of the chest wall in subgroup G patients (compression corsets) during the 7-month follow-up.

Abbreviations: ANOVA, analysis of variance; SD, standard deviation.

Figure 10 Average thickness ratios of the subcutaneous tissue of the chest wall in subgroup K patients (control) during the 7-month follow-up.

Abbreviations: ANOVA, analysis of variance; SD, standard deviation.

Figure 11 Average thickness ratios of the subcutaneous tissue of the chest wall in both subgroups G (compression corsets) and K (control) during the 7-month follow-up.

Figure 12 Average thickness ratios of the subcutaneous tissue of the chest wall in subgroup G patients (compression corsets) during the 7-month follow-up with or without additional radiotherapy.

Abbreviation: RTx, radiotherapy.

Figure 13 Average thickness ratios of the subcutaneous tissue of the chest wall in subgroup K patients (control subgroup) during the 7-month follow-up with or without additional radiotherapy.

Abbreviation: RTx, radiotherapy.

Figure 14 Average thickness ratios of the subcutaneous tissue of the chest wall in both subgroups (G and K) during the 7-month follow-up with or without additional radiotherapy.

Abbreviation: RTx, radiotherapy.

Table 3 The average thickness ratio for the second and fourth measurements in both subgroups with and without additional radiotherapy

Variable	Average thickness ratio of the subcutaneous tissue 1 month after the surgery (measurement II)	Average thickness ratio of the subcutaneous tissue 7 months after the surgery (measurement IV)
Subgroup G, without additional radiotherapy	1.387	1.096
Subgroup G, with additional radiotherapy	1.220	1.042
Subgroup K, without additional radiotherapy	1.424	1.279
Subgroup K, with additional radiotherapy	1.229	1.416

Figure 15 Reduction of pain in both subgroups, based on VAS in both subgroups (K, control; G, with corset).

Abbreviation: VAS, visual analog scale.

Figure 16 Directions of manual lymph drainage after axillary lymphadenectomy (substitute lymphatic flow areas are depicted in blue and regions of edema and so-called gravity points are in yellow).

Table 4 Measurement protocol specifying the class of compression of the fabric³⁷

Maximum elasticity	Dynamic elasticity	Compression (kPa)	Compression (mmHg)
105%	35%–50%	2.535	18.987

Anita Dr Helbig GmbHMessprotokoll-Materialprufung Artikel Nr 96376Brannenburg2011

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