[Lymphedema of the arm after mastectomy]

Every arm lymphoedema requires treatment. The method of the first option is the conservative complex "physical decongestion therapy". Although the early establishment of a lympho-venous shunt is theoretically justified, this operation is still in an experimental stage. Other operative procedures, like for example, that proposed by Thompson, should only be considered when a "physical decongestion therapy", carried out in an adequate manner, has failed. The author has certainly not yet encountered such a case. A strong word of caution must be given against adventurous operative techniques, as, e.g., venolysis, or the implantation of various threads.