THE CIRCULATORY PNEUMATIC APPARATUS FOR LYMPHEDEMA OF THE LIMB

Lymphedema due to various causes can be treated by conservative or ope rative techniques. Microsurgery sometimes gives excellent results; som etimes it fails completely. Pressotherapy, based on physiological prin ciples, has recently been developed; pressure applied directly to the limb is most beneficial. The circulatory pneumatic apparatus, a new ai r compression device, has been designed to treat limb lymphedema. It i s thought to promote tissue fluid flow through the interstitium or exi sting lymphatics. In the present study 64 patients with unilateral lim b edema have been treated using the circulatory pneumatic apparatus. T he authors conclude their pressotherapy seems to be a satisfactory met hod of reducing limb volume and circumference, without improving the a ssociated erysipelas.