Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
05:44

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema

Published on: January 12, 2017

Manual lymphatic drainage in chronic venous disease: a duplex ultrasound study

Rute Sofia Dos Santos Crisóstomo1, Miguel Sandu Candeias2, Ana Margarida Martins Ribeiro3

  • 1Laboratório de Biomecânica e Morfologia Funcional (LBMF), Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Lisboa, Portugal Centro Interdisciplinar Para o Estudo da Performance Humana (CIPER), Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Lisboa, Portugal Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, Escola Superior de Saúde Dr. Lopes Dias, Castelo Branco, Portugal crisostomo.rute@ipcb.pt/crisostomo.rute@gmail.com.

Phlebology
|August 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Manual lymphatic drainage effectively boosts lower extremity venous blood flow in both healthy individuals and those with chronic venous disease. The specific drainage technique used does not significantly alter this positive hemodynamic effect.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Physiology
  • Medical Interventions

Background:

  • Chronic venous disease (CVD) affects venous circulation, potentially leading to complications.
  • Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a therapeutic technique with potential hemodynamic effects.
  • Understanding MLD's impact on venous blood flow is crucial for managing CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of two MLD maneuvers (call-up and reabsorption) on venous blood flow.
  • To assess these effects in both patients with CVD and healthy controls.
  • To investigate the relationship between CVD severity and MLD's hemodynamic impact.

Main Methods:

  • Duplex ultrasound was used to measure blood flow parameters in the femoral and great saphenous veins.
  • Forty-one participants (23 with CVD, 18 healthy) were included.
  • Call-up and reabsorption MLD maneuvers were applied to the thigh, with measurements taken at baseline and during application.

Main Results:

  • Both MLD maneuvers significantly increased venous flow volume in the femoral and great saphenous veins in all participants (P < 0.05).
  • The hemodynamic effects were similar between the call-up and reabsorption maneuvers.
  • Increased CVD severity correlated with reduced flow augmentation from the call-up maneuver (r = -0.64, P = 0.03).

Conclusions:

  • MLD enhances lower extremity venous blood flow irrespective of the specific maneuver used.
  • The presence or severity of chronic venous disease does not diminish MLD's positive impact on venous flow.
  • MLD presents a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing venous stasis complications in CVD.
Abstract

Keywords:
Manual lymphatic drainagechronic venous diseaseduplex ultrasoundvenous flow

More Related Videos

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane08:05

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane

Published on: December 9, 2022

Demystifying Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS): Image Acquisition and Interpretation05:49

Demystifying Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS): Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: May 16, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:26

Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Varicose veins, or varicosities, develop when the valves in the veins, which control blood flow, weaken or damage. It causes blood to pool and the veins to enlarge. Understanding the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and management options for varicose veins is crucial for effective treatment and relief.Clinical manifestationsClinical manifestations of varicose veins include a heavy, achy feeling or pain after prolonged standing or sitting. This discomfort can often be relieved by...
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound01:19

Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound

To obtain accurate blood pressure measurements in clinical settings, especially when traditional methods are insufficient, healthcare professionals utilize the Doppler ultrasound technique. This method uses high-frequency sound waves to detect blood flow within the arteries, which is crucial for patients with conditions that complicate circulatory system assessment.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation01:27

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation

Palpation involves feeling the body to evaluate texture, size, consistency, and tenderness for assessing cardiovascular health. The following steps are organized in a head-to-toe order:
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...