[Microcirculatory disorders of the arm in post-mastectomy edema]

Microcirculation disorders have been examined in 125 patients with postmastectomy edemas of the arms by the following methods: indirect radionuclide lymphography, phlebography, capillaroscopy, radionuclide examination of the microcirculation, measurement of the tissue pressure, morphologic examination of the skin and subcutaneous fat. The studies have made it possible to single out four principal stages of the microcirculatory disorders: functional, reversible, progressing, and decompensation. A correlation between the edema severity and the stage of the disorders has been revealed. Microcirculation changes have been related to the development of hypoxia, dystrophic changes aggravating the process. Administration of antioxidants and antihypoxants (prodectin, trental, vitamin E) for the correction of microcirculatory disorders has improved the immediate results of therapy.