Usage criteria, effectiveness, and limitations of biker shorts-type elastic garment for the treatment of secondary lower limb lymphedema

Abstract

Abstract Elastic garments are the most reliable treatment for lymphedema, and full-length (like pantyhose) types, which compress from the distal to proximal limbs, are preferred for lower limb lymphedema. However, partial elastic garments (like biker shorts) are occasionally selected. Although biker shorts are easy to wear and can significantly reduce the burden, criteria for usage is unclear and concerns regarding increase in edema of the non-compressed peripheral regions exist. Thus, we aimed to clarify the usage criteria of biker shorts-type elastic garment for the treatment of secondary lower limb lymphedema using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent lymphography. Data of 40 edematous lower limbs (dermal backflow were localized at thigh on ICG lymphography) of patients who used biker shorts switching from full-length clothing were retrospectively analyzed. With biker shorts, the edema volume of the thigh reduced significantly without swelling of non-compressed peripheral regions, and physical symptoms such as skin-related complaints and pain improved by 100%. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that therapeutic effects of the change to biker shorts were reduced if the LPad severity stage was ≥ 1 on ICG lymphography. Thus, biker shorts can be recommended for lymphedema patients with localized dermal backflow in the thighs and LPad severity stage 0.