Because controlling lymphedema requires daily attention and because ‘curing' lymphedema has not been accomplished, emphasis must be placed on prevention. The treatment of established lymphedema has varied from none at all to a host of agressive surgical procedures. Between the extremes are various combined conservative treatments, the most important of which are elevation, compression garments, centripedal massage and exercises, pneumatic compression devices, and the program known as CDP, complete (or complex) decongestive physiotherapy.

In this review, we summarized prevention and treatment of postbreastsurgery lymphedema.