[Facial and labial lymphedema after oncological treatment. A propos of clinical case]

Rehabilitacion (Madr). 2021 Jan-Mar;55(1):67-70. doi: 10.1016/j.rh.2020.05.009. Epub 2020 Jul 30.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Facial lymphedema secondary to treatment by a neoplastic process is a rare and disabling pathology, causing functional and aesthetic alterations. A case report of facial and labial lymphedema describing the functional repercussion and aesthetic defect. We present a 61-years-old female patient suffered a tongue neoplasia and bilateral cervical lymphadenectomy in 2015. After several treatments, including diverse surgical interventions and adjuvant radiotherapy, developed facial and labial lymphedema. The patient was sent to our Rehabilitation Department complaining about swelling of the face and lips, dysphagia, sialorrhea, xerostomia, dysarthria and decubitus in lower lip by labia protusion. Due to the functional repercussion that it caused in the patient, rehabilitating physical treatment was planned with manual lymph drainage, facial silicone orthosis and lymphatic taping. The patient improved both subjectively as well as objectively in terms of hardness, volume and slight improvement of lip lymphedema.

Keywords: Drenaje linfático; Facial lymphedema; Linfedema facial; Lymphatic drainage; Rehabilitación; Rehabilitation; Taping; Tratamiento; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Drainage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Lymphedema* / surgery
  • Lymphedema* / therapy
  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage
  • Middle Aged