Breast

Cancer and Reconstruction

Circumferential suction-assisted lipectomy for lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer

Damstra RJ, Voesten HGJM, Klinkert P, et al (Nij Smellinghe Hosp, Drachten, The Netherlands; Tjongerschans Hosp, Heerenveen, The Netherlands; et al) Br J Surg 96:859-864, 2009^§

S.H. Miller, MD, MPH

Evidence Ranking

• C

Expert Rating

• 2

Abstract

Background

The incidence of arm lymphoedema after treatment for breast cancer ranges from 1 to 49 per cent. Although most women can be treated by non-operative means with satisfying results, end-stage lymphoedema is often non-responsive to compression, where hypertrophy of adipose tissue limits the outcome value of compression or massage.