2016 Volume 27 Issue 3 Pages 413-419
Amelioration of fibrosclerotic subcutaneous Tissue in Lymphedema Therapy is often difficult. One of the Issues that need to be addressed is the Reduction of Labor and Burden in Compression Therapy. With the Aim to improve the Situation for severe Lymphedema Cases we compared a Combination of our newly developed simplified Compression Material (Wave Garment, WG) and several Bandages to conventional Multilayer Bandaging. Furthermore we examined Pressure Levels and Burden of Compression Therapy. Results: In all WG Bandage Combinations the same Level of Pressure as in Multilayer Bandaging was achieved, if applied by one of our Lymphedema Therapists. Time was reduced by 23–65% through the Usage of WG and Patient’s Labor and Burden was reduced to a large Degree. Comparing the uneven Surface of WG with flat Sponge Material showed that the convex Part of WG exerted constantly high Pressure with a Pressure Level Difference of more than 30 mmHg between the concave and convex Part of the Material. These Findings indicate that even with low Outer-Pressure on the WG Pressure is well transferred to the Skin and to the indurated subcutaneous Tissue.
