Introduction: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, the incidence rates increase every year. Most women with breast cancer need surgical treatment. After breast cancer surgery, most common complications are reduced range of motion in the shoulder and lymphedema. Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is a physiotherapeutic approach that has a fundamental role in rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery and prevents complications and improves quality of life. Most symptoms of lymphedema can improve with CDT, the extent of lymphedema and the pain are reduced. It has a positive effect on the functioning of upper limb and muscle strength. Aim: Aim of the diploma thesis is to present evidence on effectiveness of the CDT physiotherapeutic method in patients with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Methods: Obtaining domestic and foreign literature with studies proving the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic method CDT in patients with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. The literature was obtained through electronic databases PubMed., Cochrane library and the Google Scholar online search engine. Results: Based on the determined criteria, the overview included 7 studies that proved the effectiveness of decongestive therapy in patients with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. In one study, it was determined that the effects of CDT are exhibited as a reduction in pain and improved quality of life. All studies included women who had lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Age of the subjects in all studies was at least 19 years, the majority of subjects were between 52.6 and 61 years old, with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Of all included studies, the shortest lasted 3 to 4 weeks, and two longest studies lasted 1 year. Discussion and conclusion: Since there is no effective drug for treating lymphedema after breast cancer surgery, various physiotherapeutic techniques are being used as a treatment. It is difficult to single out the most appropriate physiotherapeutic approach, however, an accurate physiotherapeutic view of the effects of CDT reveal that the CDT procedures efficiently impact the volume reduction of lymphedema. It is recognized as an effective non-surgical technique for treatment of lymphedema recommended by the International Society of Lymphology.
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