[Therapy of postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer: lymph drainage]

Corresponding to the fact that surgical interventions such as a modified radical mastectomy with subsequent lymph-adenectomy lead to the clinical symptom of a lymphoedema in approximately 10% of the cases, a "prophylactic" aid concerning this postoperative complication seems to be justified. In this study the efficiency of the manual lymphatic drainage according to Vodder, as well as the use of apparative methods were tested. The good results obtained by the physical department of our clinic show that a simple and efficient treatment is absolutely necessary and should be part of an optimal rehabilitation.