Adding pneumatic compression therapy in lower extremity lymphedema increases compliance of treatment, while decreasing the infection rate

Abstract

Background: Lymphedema (LE) is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment. Although pneumatic compression therapy (PCT) is one treatment option, current algorithms consider it as an adjunct to standard LE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the importance of adapting PCT for lower extremity LE (LEL) in relation to patient compliance and rate of infection.</p> Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with LEL were followed prospectively. Patient demographics, comorbidities, treatment modality, compliance, infection due to LE, and hospitalization were recorded. LEL patients with no-PCT were also recorded in the same time period to evaluate the treatment compliance and the need for physical therapy visits. The no-PCT group received the standard LE care, whereas the PCT group received the standard LE care plus a new-generation pneumatic compression device.</p> Results: A total of 69 patients were enrolled in this study. The PCT group had 50 patients and no-PCT group had 19 patients. The PCT group had median 58.5 months of LE symptoms, while non-PCT patients had median 23 months of LE symptoms (p = 0.11). Infection rates decreased by 32% and hospitalizations due to infection decreased by 14% after PCT treatment had been initiated. Physical therapy needs decreased by 24% after PCT use. At median 18 months, follow-up compliance for PCT was 84%, but compliance for manual lymphatic drainage was almost half (53%) in no-PCT group.</p> Conclusions: PCT leads to a decrease in infection rate, hospital admissions, and physical therapy (PT) visits in clinically significant LEL. Although there is no cost calculation in this study, it can be correlated to significant cost savings due to a reduction of infection and hospitalization and the need for PT visits. Adoption of PCT offers a superior value proposition to not only patients but also the health care system. Cost analysis should be followed.</p>