[Administration of selenium in lymphedema].

AIM

To investigate the effectiveness and dosage of selenium in the treatment of lymphedema.

RESULTS

Intensive treatment with decongestive physical therapy in combination with sodium selenite shows significant improvement in the reduction of the volume of the limb and in the histophysiology of secondary lymphedema after mastectomy or Wertheim-operation. The incidence of skin infections decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

The anti-inflammatory effect should be considered in the treatment of lymphedema.