SF-36 Shows Increased Quality of Life Following Complete Reduction of Postmastectomy Lymphedema with Liposuction

Abstract

AbstractsBackground: Arm lymphedema after breast cancer surgery affects women both from physical and psychological points of view. Lymphedema leads to adipose tissue deposition. Liposuction and controlled compression therapy (CCT) reduces the lymphedema completely.Methods and Results: Sixty female patients with arm lymphedema were followed for a 1-year period after surgery. The 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patients completed the SF-36 questionnaire before liposuction, and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Preoperative excess arm volume was 1365 ± 73 mL. Complete reduction was achieved after 3 months and was sustained during follow-up. The adipose tissue volume removed at surgery was 1373 ± 56 mL. One month after liposuction, better scores were found in mental health. After 3 months, an increase in physical functioning, bodily pain, and vitality was detected. After 1 year, an increase was also seen for social functioning. The physical component score was higher at 3 months and thereafter, while the mental component score was improved at 3 and 12 months. Compared with SF-36 norm data for the Swedish population, only physical functioning showed lower values than the norm at baseline. After liposuction, general health, bodily pain, vitality, mental health, and social functioning showed higher values at various time points.Conclusions: Liposuction of arm lymphedema in combination with CCT improves patients HRQoL as measured with SF-36. The treatment seems to target and improve both the physical and mental health domains.

Effect of Prophylactic Physical Activities on Reducing Lymphedema among Women Post Mastectomy

“…Nearly half of the study sample is age more than sixty-five. This finding is similar to (Mak et al, 2009) and (Mattias et al, 2017) who documented that occurrence of lymphedema significantly increases with age, as demonstrated in the present study. Finally, a minority of the study sample started treatment with radiotherapy, which is considered one of the risk factors.…”

Liposuction Treatment of Lymphedema

“…Using the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) to assess health-related quality of life in female patients who underwent upper extremity liposuction, Hoffner et al found that scores 12 months following the procedure were significantly improved for physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and mental health compared with preoperatively, 42 supporting the findings of other studies. 43,44 In another study, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) questionnaires and a visual analogue score for overall well-being, significant reductions in anxiety and depression scores and an improvement in overall well-being were demonstrated following liposuction for lymphedema of the upper extremity.…”

Feasibility study of combined dynamic imaging and lymphaticovenous anastomosis surgery for breast cancer-related lymphoedema

“…Liposuction, which is effective in reducing limb volume, does not address the underlying disease process and is limited to patients in whom there is a significant adipose component. It does not obviate the need for ongoing CGT, and concern remains over liposuction worsening the fibrotic component of lymphoedema 7,12,13 . Although LNT may offer the possibility of anatomical lymphatic reconstruction, evaluating its true efficacy is difficult and donor-site morbidity remains a concern 22,38,39 ; however, a comprehensive discussion of its value is beyond the remit of the present study.…”

“…The incidence of BCRL is reported as approximately 20 per cent at 1 year and as high as 40 per cent at 10 years after breast cancer treatment. The impact, both psychological and physiological, on patients is unquestionable, and the complications of BCRL (cellulitis, ulceration) may require prolonged periods of specialist management. The tenets of lymphoedema management include patient education, skin care and control of coexisting medical conditions that may worsen swelling.…”