CN78 - The effects of lumbar sympathetic ganglion block therapy on secondary lower limb lymphedema

Background

Although complex decongestive physical therapy(CDT) is widely used, the optimal treatment for cancer-related secondary lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is still unknown. We aimed to investigate the clinical effect of Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block (LSGB) in gynaecological cancer patients with secondary LLL and its impact on life quality.

Methods

106 gynaecological cancer survivors who received either CDT or CDT combined with LSGB were included. Fluoroscopy-guided LSGB was performed twice at 3-day intervals and extra in CDT+LSGB groups. Clinical data and circumferences of five leg points were retrospectively analyzed. The measurement points include the foot: the perimeter of the highest point of the dorsum of the foot; ankle: maximum circumference around the ankle; calf: the circumference of 10 cm below the patella; thigh 1: the circumference of 10 cm above the patella; thigh 2: the circumference of 15 cm above the patella. Leg circumference was measured before surgery, on the first day after the first surgery, on the first day after the second surgery, and on the seventh day after the second surgery. The Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-LEG (LYMQOL-LEG) was monitored before and after treatment in two groups.

Results

The leg circumference decreased significantly from baseline after the treatment (P < 0.01). The leg circumferences of thigh 1, thigh 2, and calf decreased more in the CDT+LSGB group (P _{thigh 1}= 0.028; P thigh 2 =0.017; and Pcalf= 0.019). The life quality of LLL patients improved more in CDT+LSGB treatment compared to the CDT group (P <0.05).

Conclusions

LSGB can be a safe and effective treatment option for gynaecological cancer survivors with secondary LLL.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.