Volume 25, Issue 113, July 2021

Intensive treatment of lymphedema and mobilization of liquids in body segments

Maria de Fatima Guerreiro Godoy¹, Jose Maria Pereira de Godoy^2♦, Lívia Maria Pereira de Godoy³, Henrique Jose Pereira de Godoy⁴, Rogerio Rodrigo Ramos⁵

¹Occupational Therapist professor of the Post-Graduate Stricto Sensu in Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP) and research group at Clínica Godoy, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil
²Professor Adjunct inCardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Department of the Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), CNPq (National Council for Research and Development)-Brazil
³Physician specialized in General Practice, resident in Dermatology in Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima-Bauru-Brazil, member of researcher group at Clínica Godoy, São José do Rio Preto, SP-Brazil
⁴Physician, Resident of the Department General Surgery in the Medicine School of São Jose do Rio Preto-FAMERP and member research group of the Clínica Godoy-Brazil
⁵Professor of Universidade Brasil-Fernandopolis-Brazil

^♦Corresponding author
Professor Adjunct in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Department of the Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), CNPq (National Council for Research and Development)-Brazil

ABSTRACT

Background: Lymphedema is a clinical condition associated with a functional or mechanical deficiency of the lymphatic system, leading to the accumulation of macromolecules in the interstitial space and the consequent retention of liquids. The objective of the study was to determine changes in the extracellular water/total body water ratio in all extremities and the thorax after intensive treatment for lymphedema. Method: A clinical crossover study was conducted involving the determination of the extracellular water/total body water ratio in all extremities and the thorax of 86 patients with clinical diagnosis lymphedema, stage II and III at the Clínica Godoy-Sao Jose do Rio Preto-Brazil in January until December 2020. Evaluations were performed with multi-segment bioimpedance analysis before and after intensive treatment for lower limb lymphedema using the Godoy Method. Results: Significant reductions were found after treatment using all assessment methods (volumetry, circumference measurements and bioimpedance analysis). Conclusion: The intensive treatment of lower limb lymphedema using the Godoy Method results in a reduction in edema throughout the body, as demonstrated by bioimpedance analysis of all extremities and the trunk. Therefore, the method affects the lymphatic system and the response is systemic.

Keywords: Intensive treatment, lymphedema, mobilization of liquids, body segments

Medical Science, 2021, 25(113), 1578-1582

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