Mridha M, Odman S.
Fluid translocation measurement. A method to study pneumatic compression
treatment of postmastectomy lymphoedema.
Scand J Rehabil Med 1989;21(2):63-9

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Linkoping, University
Hospital, Sweden.

Tissue fluid translocation under the action of deformation was measured to study
the pneumatic compression treatment of postmastectomy lymphoedema of the arm.
Analysis of the results provides statistically significant parameters for
characterization of the oedema. Mobility of the fluid in pitting oedematous
tissue was significantly greater than that of normal tissue and decreased after
pneumatic compression treatment. Oedematous fluid at the distal sites of the arm
showed a greater mobility than that of the proximal sites. Improvement in the
oedema due to pneumatic compression treatment was found to be greater at the
distal sites than at the proximal sites. In addition, oedema recurred between the
treatments and repeated treatments produced the best results. Measurement of
fluid translocation is useful in selecting and evaluating the effectiveness of
lymphoedema treatment, as well as in determining the viscoelastic properties of
the oedematous tissues.