[A microcirculatory change induced by comprehensive anti-edematous therapy in patients with lower limb lymphedema].

Aim: To study the impact of comprehensive anti-edematous therapy (CAET) on the microcirculatory indicators of patients with lower limb lymphedema.

Material And Methods: The investigation enrolled 60 patients with stages I-III lower limb lymphedema (according to its classification (T.V. Savchenko and A.V. Pokrovsky, 2004). All the patients were randomly divided into two groups: 1) 30 patients received CAET; 2) 30 patients had basic therapy with a conventional lymphovenous tonic and elastic compression. The time course of microcirculatory changes were evaluated in all the patients, by using laser Doppler flowmetry.

Results: Analysis of the findings revealed that all the patients had spastic and stagnant microcirculation prior to treatment. After a treatment cycle, group 1 showed positive changes in the clinical manifestations of the disease and in the microcirculation, while group 2 displayed slight reductions in sensation of heaviness, leg swelling, as well as positive changes at the level of the venules of the microcirculatory bed.

Conclusion: This investigation of microcirculatory indicators in patients with lower limb lymphedema revealed a considerable improvement at the level of all microcirculatory components (arterioles, precapillaries, and venules) after CAET.