Damstra, R.J., Brouwer, E.R., & Partsch, H. (2008). Controlled, comparative study of relation between volume changes and interface pressure under short-stretch bandages in leg lymphedema patients. Dermatologic Surgery : Official Publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [Et Al.], 34(6), 773–779.
To demonstrate that therapeutically intended volume reduction of the compressed leg is the most important cause for the loss of bandage pressure
All patients and control group volunteers were treated with the same bandages by trained staff. The bandages started at the base of the toes and covered the leg up to the capitulum fibulae in all cases. The bandages were removed after two hours, and new bandages were applied for the next 24 hours. On the first day, all patients were encouraged to walk and treated exclusively with compression therapy of the whole leg. No other therapeutic interventions were performed.
The study used an experimental, controlled comparative design.
A significant reduction of leg volume was achieved two hours after bandage application in both groups. A further volume decrease of the lymphedematous legs was observed in the following 24 hours after application of a new bandage. The volume reduction was associated with a significant loss of bandage pressure.
Volume reduction is the most important cause of loss of pressure and effectiveness, supporting the need for proper materials, technique, and compliance.
More frequent bandage changes, in the initial phase of edema reduction in patients with venous diseases, with compression treatment using short-stretch bandages appears to be necessary.