Impact of compression on frequency of infection of soft tissues and the occurrence of chronic wounds in patients with lymphoedema
Joint Event on 2nd Global Summit on Dermatology and Cosmetology & 3rd International Conference on Wound Care, Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine
September 09-10, 2019 | Edinburgh, Scotland
Tanja Planinsek Rucigaj
University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts : Dermatol Res Skin Care
Abstract:
Soft tissue infections (erysiphelas or cellulitis) and chronic wounds are common complications in patients with lymphoedema of the leg. Lymphatic system disorders (primary or secondary lymphoedema) and immune response dysfunction are the key factors for the development of infections of soft tissues and chronic wounds in these patients. If oedema is growing, through stage I lymphoedema to stage III lymphoedema, the frequency of infections (erysiphelas or cellulitis) and the frequency of chronic wounds increases. By compression therapy with short stretch bandages, where the swelling is reduced, the lymph fluid flow is accelerated and indirectly influenced by the immune responses in the tissue. The frequency of infections after compression can be reduced and the frequency of formation of chronic wounds which, when compressed, can be reduced and heal faster. In our clinical study we included patients with lymphoedema of all stages who have before study erysipelas and / or wounds. We were bandaged their leg with short stretch elastic bandages for five to seven days, two or three times, until the edema was reduced. After reduction of the edema, the appearance of erysipelas at patients with leg lymphoedemas decreased significantly, and the wounds completely healed.
Biography:
Tanja Planinsek Rucigaj is currently acting as the head of Dermatovenereological Clinic, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia. In 2003, she was elected for the assistant to the subject of dermatovenerology on Medical Faculty in Ljubljana. Since 2009, she is a lecturer at the College of Health Care Jesenice, now faculty of Health Angela Boskin. In 2015, she was finished two years study of lymphology at European e-Lymph school. Since April 2009, she is a head of Dermatovenerology Clinic, University Medical Centre Ljubljana. She completed her PhD in October 2018. From 2006-2014, she was the president of the Association of Slovenian Dermatovenerologists. Since 2008, she is a vice-president of Balkan Venous Forum. Between 2011-2015, she was a president of Wound Management Association Slovenia, then as a vice-president till Jan 2017. From 2016, she is a president of Slovenian Association of Phlebology and Lymphology. She has more than 600 entries in Co-operative Online Bibliographic System/Servis and her publications have been cited over 140 times.
E-mail: t.rucigaj@gmail.com
PDF HTML