A new instrument for the evaluation fo tissue tonicity in lymphoedema

An instrument which measures the resistance of the tissues to compression has been used to assess the effectiveness of a therapy for long term lymphoedema. In this preliminary study, all cases of long standing lymphodema showed an increased resistance of the affected tissue to compression. Following an average of 30 months' Venalot treatment the resistance of the fibrotic tissues was restored to normal levels. It is believed that this way of assessing the state of the tissues and the value of therapy is a more accurate representation of the actual situation and should be used in preference to measurement of the circumference or plethysmography.