The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Effect of manual lymph drainage in addition to guidelines and exercise therapy on arm lymphoedema related to breast cancer: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2011; 343: 625.

Published: 27th September 2011

Authors: Devoogdt N, Christiaens M-R, Geraerts I, Truijen S, Smeets A, Leunen K et al. et al.

Conclusion

The intervention group in this trial that included 160 patients who had axillary dissection, commenced manual lymph drainage five weeks after surgery and continued for 20 weeks. There was no reduction in the rate of lymphoedema up to 12 months: 24 per cent after intervention vs. 19 per cent in controls, P=0.45.

Pubmed Link