Article

Lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is characterized as a physical-functional
chronic complication that impacts the quality of life of women who have gone
through treatment for gynecological cancer. The present study aims to check the
conservative treatments available for lymphedema after gynecological cancer in
the context of evidence-based practice. METHODS: The selection criteria included
papers from May 1993 discussing treatment protocols used in LLL after treatment
for gynecological cancer.
The search was performed until October 2014 in MEDLINE,
SciVerse, and PEDro using "rehabilitation," "treatment outcome," "therapeutics,"
"clinical protocol," "gynecologic surgery," "lower extremity," "lower limb," and
"lymphedema" as keywords, focused on women with a previous diagnosis of
gynecological cancer who received radiation and/or chemotherapy and/or surgery
and/or lymphadenectomy as part of their treatment.
RESULTS: From 110 studies
found, 3 articles that used the complex decongestive therapy (CDT) as a treatment
protocol were selected. There were no randomized clinical trials associated with
the conservative treatment of LLL post-treatment of gynecological cancer. The
three selected articles are retrospective, and had the same outcome - decreased
volume of the affected limb lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: Although LLL is more or as
frequent and detrimental as upper limb lymphedema post-cancer treatment, there
are only a few studies about this subject. Publications are even scarcer when
considering studies with interventional approach. Randomized controlled trials
are necessary to support rehabilitation resources on lymphedema
post-gynecological cancer treatment.

Langue : ANGLAIS