| Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of manual lymph drainage (MLD) in postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Methods: We searched databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the efficacy of MLD in postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Studies were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were extracted, and quality of articles was assessed. Then RevMan 5.3 software was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 11 RCTs including 2524 patients were incorporated in this meta analysis. The meta analysis showed that MLD could effectively prevent the occurrence of lymphedema after the operation of breast cancer patients at 12th, 6th and 3rd month ［RR=0.24，95%CI (0.16, 0.37), P<0.01; RR=0.45, 95%CI (0.30, 0.68), P<0.01; RR=0.24, 95%CI (0.12, 0.48), P<0.01］, could treat the postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients ［WMD=-52.35, 95%CI (-70.51, -34.19)，P<0.01］, and could prevent the occurrence of postoperative axillary syndrome ［RR=0.17, 95%CI (0.09, 0.34), P<0.01］. Conclusion: MLD could effectively prevent and treat the postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients, and effectively prevent the occurrence of axillary syndrome. It is suggested to promote clinical application. |
