Prevention of lymphedema after cervical cancer surgery using a management pathway based on risk reduction protocols
ZHAO Wenfang
GAO Jun
FU Ying
Abstract：Objective To explore the effectiveness of risk-reductionbased management pathway in preventing lymphedema after cervical cancer surgery.Methods From June 2022 to July 2023,65 patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cervical cancer at Subei People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University were randomly divided into a control group(n=32)and a study group(n=33)using a random number table.The control group received routine nursing care,while the study group was treated with lymphedema prevention and management pathway based on a risk-reduction program.Changes in the circumference of both lower limbs were observed before,one,three and six months after chemoradiation.The Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire(GCLQ)was used to compare the self-perceived symptoms and incidence of lower limb lymphedema between the two groups before and six months after chemoradiation.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups before chemoradiation,one month and three months after chemoradiation(P＞0.05).However,at six months,the circumference of both lower limbs in the study group was smaller than the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in self-perceived lymphedema symptoms and the incidence of lymphedema between the two groups before radiotherapy and chemotherapy(P＞0.05).The self-perceived symptoms of lymphedema and the incidence of lymphedema in the study group after six months of chemoradiotherapy were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusions The management pathway based on the risk-reduction plan can alleviate lymphedema-related symptoms in patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cervical cancer,and can effectively prevent the occurrence of lymphedema.However,the long-term effects on the occurrence of lymphedema needs further observation.
Keywords：Risk scenarioPreventive measuresPathwaySurgery for cervical cancerLymphedema
Publication Date：2025-03-20
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 152-155 )