Objective To investigate how early manual lymphatic drainage can prevent lower limb lymphedema (LLL) following real-world gynecological cancer surgery. Methods A total of 342 patients with gynecological cancers underwent radical surgery at a Guangxi cancer hospital between January 3 and February 15, 2025 were included. In order to ascertain the implementation of preventive manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) following surgery, patients were categorized into a prophylaxis group and a control group according to their selection. To control for potential confounding factors, a 1: 1 propensity score-matching (PSM) method was used. Using the gynecological lymphedema questionnaire (GLQ) at least 6 months after surgery, we investigated the incidence of LLL and the status of preventive strategies after the intervention. Results After PSM, 111 pairs of score-matched patients were generated. The prophylaxis group’s LLL incidence was 10. 81%, substantially lower than the control group’s 21. 62% (P = 0. 04). 15. 6% of patients in the control group and 38. 9% of patients in the prophylaxis group engaged in preventive activities (P 0. 001). 71. 7% of patients with GCLQ scores ≥ 4 took action to prevent LLL progression. The prophylaxis group showed a significantly reduced risk of LLL (risk ratio, 0. 50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0. 263–0. 949; P = 0. 034). Conclusion The occurrence of postoperative lower limb lymphedema is reduced in gynecologic cancer patients who undergo early manual lymphatic drainage. This offers compelling evidence to inform clinical treatment decisions.
Wu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.