Prevention of lymphoedema after axillary clearance by external compression sleeves PLACE randomised trial results. Effects of high BMI

Around 25% of women undergoing Axillary Clearance (ANC) develop lymphedema (LE). Intervention with a compression garment is recommended to prevent LE but no randomised evidence exists to support this strategy.

Methods: A randomised trial tested standard management versus application of graduated compression garments (20-24 mmHg) to affected arm, for 1 year. Women with node positive breast cancer (n = 1300) undergoing ANC consented to arm volume measurements and those developing a 4-9% relative arm volume increase (RAVI) (subclinical LE) within 9 months post-surgery were randomised. Primary outcome was proportion of patients developing LE (RAVI > 10%) by 24-months in each group. Secondary endpoints included Quality of life in each group.

Results: In total 143 patients were randomised (74 no sleeve: 69 compression sleeve) between October 2010 and November 2015. The lymphoedema rate at 24 months in the 'no sleeve' group was at 41%, similar to the 'sleeve' group (30%: p = 0.32). Thirtytwo patients randomised to the 'no sleeve' group had a sleeve applied within 24 months. Body Mass Index (BMI) at randomisation predicted LE at any time point HR 1.04 (CI 1.01-1.08; p = 0.01). Patients with obesity (BMI > 30) had higher rates of LE in both groups (46%) compared to those with BMI < 30 (24%). No difference between patients was found in either group in changes in QoL. Compression sleeves applied after development of LE improved QoL scores (FACT-B p = 0.007:TOI p = 0.042).

Conclusion: Early intervention with External Compression garments does not prevent clinical LE, particularly in women with a high BMI > 30. The use of prophylactic garments in subclinical LE (RAVI < 9%) is unwarranted.