This document summarizes the fiber optic laser treatment of lymphedema. It describes a 77-year-old female patient who underwent a right biquadrantectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy in 2011, followed by radiotherapy and the development of lymphedema in her right upper limb. She received two fiber optic laser treatments, which resulted in decreased circumference and increased dermal tissue and motility in her affected right arm. The laser treatment uses a 20 MHz frequency with 3.7mm penetration to break up fibrosis in lymphedemic tissue. Measurements before and after each treatment showed decreased circumference and improved condition of the right arm.

1. Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Dipartimento di chirurgia generale
FIBER OPTIC LASER
TREATMENT OF
LYMPHOEDEMA
Prof. Beniamino Palmieri
Dott. Gregorio Fistetto
Dott. ssa Valentina Rottigni
Dott. Alessandro Di Cerbo

2. C.E., FEMALE, 77 YEARS OLD
- RIGHT BIQUADRANTECTOMY
- AXILLARY LYMPHADENECTOMY WITH
SURGERY COMPLICATIONS (2011)
- RADIOTHERAPY CYCLE (OCTOBER 2011)
- LYMPHEDEMA OF THE RIGHT UPPER LIMB (IN
NOVEMBER), EXTENDED TO THE METACARPAL
AREA UNTIL THE AXILLA WITH DIFFERENT
STIFFNESS LEVELS
- THE CONTROLATERAL LIMB IS UNAFFECTED

3. I° Treatment

4. Right arm (lymphoedema)
pre treatment, diameter 36 cm
Left arm (control), diameter 30 cm

7. Lidocain injection

8. The fiber optic and the laser

9. Power: 14 W
Energy: 145 mJ

10. The fiber optic is inserted into the arm, which is cooled

12. Removal of the fiber optic

13. Increased arm
motility soon after the
treatment

15. Principle: 20 MHz,
3.7 mm penetration

17. LYMPHOEDEMA CONTROL
IN THE ARM AFFECTED BY LYMPHOEDEMA,
LESS SOFT DERMAL TISSUE AND FIBROSIS

18. LYMPHOEDEMA CONTROL

19. 1° Follow up

20. BEFORE
Diameter – 2 cm
AFTER

21. BEFORE AFTER

22. BEFORE AFTER
POST TREATMENT WE OBSERVE AN INCREASE OF THE
DERMAL TISSUE IF COMPARED BEFORE THE TREATMENT

23. 2°Treatment

24. BEFORE AFTER

26. BEFORE AFTER

28. Lidocain injection

29. Cooling arm

32. The fiber optic

33. PENETRATION END-POINT OF
POINT OF THE THE FIBER OPTIC
FIBER OPTIC

34. Arm appearance at the end of the treatment

35. 2° Follow up

37. BEFORE AFTER 2 LASER TREATMENTS

38. Before: 33 cm
After 2 treatments: 30 cm

39. Arm, forearm and wrist circumference
RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT LEFT
LEFT ARM LEFT FOREARM
ARM FOREARM WRIST WRIST
1°
36 cm 30 cm 33 cm 26 cm 22 cm 19 cm
TREATMENT
1° FOLLOW
34 cm 30 cm 31 cm 26 cm 22 cm 19 cm
UP
2°
34 cm 30 cm 31 cm 26 cm 20 cm 19 cm
TREATMENT
2° FOLLOW
34 cm 30 cm 30 cm 26 cm 20 cm 19 cm
UP

40. MOVIE

41. Thank you!