Physiotherapeutic approaches to prevention of lymphedema in post-surgical patients of breast cancer

a systematic review

Abstract

analyze and evaluate the most effective treatment (s) and also the benefits of physiotherapeutic resources in the prevention of lymphedema after mastectomy; METHODS: This work is a systematic review, where the articles found in the databases with search of published works from 2000 to 2017 were used as criteria for analysis, the main databases related to the area of health sciences were selected, being these: PubMed, Scielos, Bireme, LILACS, Ebsco, Medline and Virtual Health Library (VHL); RESULTS: The articles analyzed describe that lymphedema, when installed, can be controlled, but not cured. Lymphedema can be significantly reduced in the first week of treatment, and after the third week, the reduction may occur in a less significant way. After analyzing the articles, it was found that the Complex Decongestant Therapy (TCD) presented greater efficacy in the reduction of the affected limb and better response in the quality of life of the patient. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that, after research, many physiotherapeutic treatments with good results were observed. Some have stood out for efficiency and practicality. The most efficient physiotherapeutic treatment shown in this study is the Complex Decongesting Therapy, which encompasses Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Specific Kinesiotherapy (Miolokokinetic Exercises), Bandaging and Guidelines for daily activities of the patient, providing significant improvement of the patient