[Objective measurement of lymphedema after mastectomy]

A new optic-electronic method for measuring arm volume was used on 275 women before and after mastectomy for carcinoma of the breast. Two weeks after modified radical mastectomy, an increase of over 150 ml in arm volume over the preoperative value was recorded in 12% of patients. Lymphoedema was demonstrated on average 19.3 months after the operation and telecobalt treatment in 42% of 200 women so treated; in 17% it was of moderately severe to severe degree (over 400 ml). In patients with severe lymphoedema a 15-day period of treatment reduced the oedema volume on average by 383 ml (62.1%). The described optic-electronic volumetric method makes it possible to obtain an objective comparison of swelling of the arm and thus early recognition and treatment of lymphoedema, as well as providing a means of assessing the effectiveness of any treatment.