Manual lymphatic drainage in chronic venous disease: A duplex ultrasound study:

ObjectivesTo compare the effect of call-up and reabsorption maneuvers of manual lymphatic drainage on blood flow in femoral vein and great saphenous vein in patients with chronic venous disease and healthy controls.MethodsForty-one subjects participated in this study (mean age: 42.68(15.23)), 23 with chronic venous disease (chronic venous disease group) with clinical classification C1–5 of clinical-etiological-anatomical-pathological (CEAP) and 18 healthy subjects (control group). Call-up and reabsorption maneuvers were randomly applied in the medial aspect of the thigh. The cross-sectional areas, as well as the peak and the mean blood flow velocity at femoral vein and great saphenous vein, were assessed by Duplex ultrasound at the baseline and during maneuvers. The venous flow volume changes were calculated.ResultsThe venous flow volume in femoral vein and great saphenous vein increased during both manual lymphatic drainage maneuvers and in both groups (P < 0.05). The two maneuvers had a similar effect o...