[Diagnosis and treatment of arm edema following combination therapy of breast cancer].

A lymphographic and phleobographic study of the lymph and blood outflow in 61 patients with postmastectomy upper limb edema showed that a complete block of the lymphatic vessels was observed in 86.5% and a partial block in 13.5% of the patients. Combined injuries of the lymphatic vessels and major veins aggravated the degree of limb edema. The presence of upper limb lymphostasis in the compensated venous outflow is an indication to the use of the microvenous shunting or dermatoplastic operations.