Role of Decongestive Therapy For Lymphedema In A Patient After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Abstract

Lymphedema is defined as the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial space as a result of deterioration in lymphatic system functions. In our case, we describe a patient that developed lymphedema symptoms in his right upper extremity following liver transplantation. After the lymphedema diagnosis, the patient underwent complex decongestive therapy, which included 30 sessions of manual lymphatic drainage (30 minutes a day) and 30 sessions of multilayer bandaging (five days a week). There was an improvement in both the shoulder joint range of motion and circumferences measurements of the hand and arm after treatment.Based on this case, we recommend manual lymph drainage as a preventative in the early period after organ transplants affecting the lymphatic system.