A 45-year-old woman presents with chronic swelling of the left leg, skin thickening, and recurrent erysipelas. She had pelvic radiotherapy 10 years ago. Lymphoscintigraphy confirms lymphoedema. The non-surgical management cornerstone is:

• A Diuretic therapy with furosemide
• B Anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin
• C Systemic corticosteroids
• D Complete decongestive therapy (CDT): manual lymphatic drainage and multilayer compression bandaging ✓

Explanation

Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) is the gold standard non-surgical treatment for lymphoedema; it comprises manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), multilayer compression bandaging, exercise, and skin care. Diuretics are contraindicated in lymphoedema as they mobilise water but leave protein in the interstitium, worsening the protein-rich oedema.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.