Persistence of lymphedema reduction after noninvasive complex lymphedema therapy.

We treated 119 consecutive patients with lymphedema with complex lymphedema therapy (CLT). Lymphedema reductions after CLT averaged 62.6% in the 56 patients with one affected arm and 68.6% in the 38 patients with one affected leg. In the 23 patients with bilateral affected lower limbs, lymphedema volume decreased by 3,681 cm3 in the right leg and by 3,433 cm3 in the left leg. Due to its small number, the group with bilateral affected arms was not analyzed. After 36 months' follow-up, the average reduction increased to 63.8% in individuals with one affected arm and remained at 62.7% in those with one affected leg. For statistical analysis, the amount of reduction after CLT in the group with bilateral affected legs was considered to be 100%. During follow-up, the right leg was maintained at 99.59% of the initial reduction and the left leg improved to 120%. Patients who were compliant showed significant increases in lymphedema reduction, whereas noncompliant patients lost part of their initial reduction.