MLD and Reconstructive Surgery

We have worked with a number of reconstructive surgeons over the years to improve the recovery of their patients. The positive effects are not surprising since MLD has been used internationally for decades to reduce edema by improving lymphatic flow. Under physician direction we have used both pre and post surgical application to improve patient outcome.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Plastic Surgery

Any surgery produces trauma for the affected tissues. The dexterous surgeon limits that trauma to a minimum by handling the tissues carefully, so as to cause the lightest possible post-operative edema. The patient's tendency to form edemas interferes as well, depending among other factors on the hormonal command of the body's water content.

Post-operative tissue edemas are a medical problem of the highest importance.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage puts into circulation the lymph flow inhibited by the edema, accelerates the reabsorbtion of the tissue edema permits the operated area to recover a better arterial, capillary and venous circulation. Thanks to a better blood irrigation transporting the oxygen and the cell building substances, the tissue healing is accelerated.

After an operation or an accidental injury, the complete tissue normalization, without any particular treatment, takes about 5 to 6 months. If the traumatism is significant, as for example after a bone fracture or an extended soft tissue injury, the normalization can take up to twelve or eighteen months.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage accelerates that regeneration process by eliminating the edema into the local lymphatic vessels. Complete tissue normalization must take place before it is allowed to undertake any new operation like a scar correction for example.

According to our experience, the time necessary to the tissue normalization is 30 to 50 % reduced by Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

Concerning more particularly plastic surgery, Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a remarkable tool to relieve and to shorten the post-operative period. By evacuating the large lymphatic vessels of the face and the neck, it contributes wonderfully to eliminate the swelling more rapidly and to normalize the area of the nose and the eyes, as well as after a face scar correction.

It is also indicated after breast surgery, after abdomen fat removal and mostly after hip cellulitis surgery. In the latter case particularly, the superficial circulation is severely disturbed and the operated area stays swollen for a long time.

Clinical experience has shown us that the post-operative reabsorption time for such cases can be reduced by 50 % in comparison with non treated cases.

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(Translation of an excerpt of the article "Die Manuelle Lymphdrainage in der kosmetiscben Chirurgie" of Dr. med. unie. Peter LESSING, Facharzt fúr Chirurgie, A-8010 Graz, in "Lymphologisches Bulletin'- Acta Lymphologica- Heft 273, 1980/81 - Verlag für Medizin Dr. Ewald Fiischer Gmbh, 6900 HEIDELBERG 1)