Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Lymphedema

Abstract

The use of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices in the therapeutic approach to lymphedema is perhaps the most controversial element of what is traditionally termed complex decongestive physiotherapy. In the United States, historically, pneumatic compression has been the mainstay of lymphatic therapy for decades.

  • IPC, preferably accomplished with multi-chamber pumps, effectively removes excess fluid from the extremity.

  • IPC can be incorporated into a multidisciplinary, therapeutic program; the guidelines for patient and device selection continue to evolve.

  • Adjunctive IPC provides symptom relief and reduces episodes of cellulitis and ulceration in lower extremity lymphedema.

  • Use of certain IPCs may be associated with significant reductions in cellulitis events, use of medical resources, and cost of care in lymphedema.

  • The observed benefits of IPC correlate well with experimental physiological observations, in which the promotion of lymph formation by tissue compression is related to the number of compressions applied and the time interval between each compression.

  • Compression of limb lymphedema tissues by IPC may lead to the formation of tissue channels that provide functional pathways for the clearance of edema fluid.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Highlighted References

  1. Szuba A, Achalu R, Rockson SG. Decongestive lymphatic therapy for patients with breast carcinoma-associated lymphedema. A randomized, prospective study of a role for adjunctive intermittent pneumatic compression. Cancer. 2002;95(11):2260–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Rockson SG. Current concepts and future directions in the diagnosis and management of lymphatic vascular disease. Vasc Med. 2010;15(3):223–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Brayton KM, Hirsch AT, OB PJ, Cheville A, Karaca-Mandic P, Rockson SG. Lymphedema prevalence and treatment benefits in cancer: impact of a therapeutic intervention on health outcomes and costs. PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e114597.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Wilburn O, Wilburn P, Rockson SG. A pilot, prospective evaluation of a novel alternative for maintenance therapy of breast cancer-associated lymphedema [ISRCTN76522412]. BMC Cancer. 2006;6:84.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Karaca-Mandic P, Hirsch AT, Rockson SG, Ridner SH. The cutaneous, net clinical, and health economic benefits of advanced pneumatic compression devices in patients with lymphedema. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(11):1187–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

References

  1. Brennan MJ, Miller LT. Overview of treatment options and review of the current role and use of compression garments, intermittent pumps, and exercise in the management of lymphedema. Cancer. 1998;83(12 Suppl American):2821–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Zelikovski A, Haddad M, Reiss R. The “lympha-press” intermittent sequential pneumatic device for the treatment of lymphoedema: five years of clinical experience. J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 1986;27(3):288–90.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dittmar A, Krause D. A comparison of intermittent compression with single and multi-chamber systems in treatment of secondary arm lymphedema following mastectomy. Z Lymphol. 1990;14(1):27–31.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Walby R. Treatment of lymphedema in institutions. Two weeks of in-hospital intensive lymphatic drainage followed by maintenance treatment with a pulsator. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1990;110(24):3125–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Wozniewski M. Value of intermittent pneumatic massage in the treatment of upper extremity lymphedema. Pol Tyg Lek. 1991;46(30–31):550–2.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Pappas CJ, O'Donnell TF Jr. Long-term results of compression treatment for lymphedema. J Vasc Surg 1992;16(4):555–62; discussion 62–4.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brunner U, Frei-Fleischlin C. Current status of combined physical decompression therapy in primary and secondary lymphedema of the legs. Vasa. 1993;22(1):8–14.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bunce IH, Mirolo BR, Hennessy JM, Ward LC, Jones LC. Post-mastectomy lymphoedema treatment and measurement. Med J Aust. 1994;161(2):125–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Szuba A, Rockson SG. Lymphedema: classification, diagnosis and therapy. Vasc Med. 1998;3(2):145–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Eliska O, Eliskova M. Are peripheral lymphatics damaged by high pressure manual massage? Lymphology. 1995;28(1):21–30.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Foeldi E. Massage and damage to lymphatics. Lymphology. 1995;28(1):1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Boris M, Weindorf S, Lasinski BB. The risk of genital edema after external pump compression for lower limb lymphedema. Lymphology. 1998;31(1):15–20.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Casley-Smith J, Casley-Smith J. Other physical therapy for lymphedema: Pumps; heating; etc. In: Casley-Smith J, Casley-Smith J, editors. Lymphedema. Adelaide: The Lymphedema Association of Australia; 1991. p. 155–9.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rockson SG, Miller LT, Senie R, Brennan MJ, Casley-Smith JR, Foldi E, et al. American cancer society lymphedema workshop. Workgroup III: diagnosis and management of lymphedema. Cancer. 1998;83(12 Suppl American):2882–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. McGeown JG, McHale NG, Thornbury KD. Effects of varying patterns of external compression on lymph flow in the hindlimb of the anaesthetized sheep. J Physiol. 1988;397:449–57.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Blumberg SN, Berland T, Rockman C, Mussa F, Brooks A, Cayne N, et al. Pneumatic compression improves quality of life in patients with lower-extremity lymphedema. Ann Vasc Surg. 2016;30:40–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Zaleska M, Olszewski WL, Durlik M. The effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in long-term therapy of lymphedema of lower limbs. Lymphat Res Biol. 2014;12(2):103–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Zaleska M, Olszewski WL, Cakala M, Cwikla J, Budlewski T. Intermittent pneumatic compression enhances formation of edema tissue fluid channels in lymphedema of lower limbs. Lymphat Res Biol. 2015;13(2):146–53.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Ridner SH, McMahon E, Dietrich MS, Hoy S. Home-based lymphedema treatment in patients with cancer-related lymphedema or noncancer-related lymphedema. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2008;35(4):671–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson MD

Authors
  1. Stanley G. Rockson MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stanley G. Rockson MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Lymphedema and Vascular Malformations, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Byung-Boong Lee

  2. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson

  3. La Jolla, California, USA

    John Bergan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Rockson, S.G. (2018). Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy. In: Lee, BB., Rockson, S., Bergan, J. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_34

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_34

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52421-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52423-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation