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.