Positive Health Online

Abstract

OLSZEWSKI and COLLEAGUES, Institution Department of Surgical Research and Transplantology, Medical Research Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland. wlo@cmdik.pan.pl studied lymph and tissue fluid flow during intermittent pneumatic massage of lower limbs in patients with Pathways of lymph and tissue fluid flow during intermittent pneumatic massage of lower limbs with obstructive lymphedema.

Background

Questions remain on the use of sequential pneumatic compression including where does the fluid flow to and whether fluid can be moved to the non-swollen tissues of the hypogastrium and gluteal region?

Methodology

During pneumatic massage of the limb, we studied pathways of lymph and mobile tissue fluid flow using lymphoscintigraphy: a) from the calf and thigh across the inguinal region to the healthy non-swollen tissues of the hypogastrium and b) in the hypogastrium to the lateral and upper abdominal quadrants. To examine if there was effective fluid flow during pneumatic massage, plethysmographic flow measurements were also carried out.

Results

The authors demonstrated that: (i) pneumatic compression moved isotope in lymph remaining in functioning lymphatics and in tissue fluid in the interstitial space toward the inguinal region and femoral channel, (ii) there was no isotope crossing the inguinal crease or moving to the gluteal area, and (iii) isotope injected intradermally in the hypogastrium did not spread during manual massage to the upper and contralateral abdominal quadrants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, intermittent pneumatic compression is effective in pushing mobile tissue fluid and relocating large fluid volumes toward the groin. However, the question that still remains is how to facilitate further flow toward the non-swollen tissues and thereby increase local absorption of fluid.

References

Olszewski WL, Cwikla J, Zaleska M, Domaszewska-Szostek A, Gradalski T and Szopinska S. Pathways of lymph and tissue fluid flow during intermittent pneumatic massage of lower limbs with obstructive lymphedema. Source Lymphology. 44(2):54-64. Jun 2011.