Application of Manual Lymph Drainage Combined With Complex Decongestive Therapy in Lower Limb Lymphedema After Cervical Cancer Surgery and Its Impact on Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of manual lymph drainage (MLD) and complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in managing lower limb lymphedema (LLL) following cervical cancer surgery and its impact on patient quality of life. METHODS: Patients with postoperative LLL following cervical cancer surgery were included. A total of 57 patients in the control group received pneumatic compression therapy, while 57 patients in the CDT group received additional CDT. Outcomes included symptom relief rates, maximum limb circumference, tissue water content, and Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire (GCLQ), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and EORTC QLQ-C30 score. RESULTS: Posttreatment, the CDT group had a higher total remission rate, smaller affected limb circumference, less extracellular and truncated water, lower GCLQ, VAS, and QLQ-C30 symptom scores, and higher 50 kHz bioelectrical impedance and QLQ-C30 health/function scores than the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CDT combined with pneumatic compression therapy was effective in treating LLL after cervical cancer surgery, reducing edema and pain in the lower limbs, and improving patients' quality of life.