OBJECTIVE To observe the character of local and systemic immune responses in chronic limb lymphedema, and to investigate the effect of microwave on immunological response. METHODS From November 1996 to February 1998, 27 patients with chronic limb lymphedema were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 11 males and 16 females, the average age was 36.6 years. These patients were classified as the experimental group and 10 healthy volunteers as the control group. Before and after microwave heating and bandaging treatment, T and B lymphocyte in peripheral blood and skin infiltrating cells in the patients and volunteers were detected and phenotyped with alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase(APAAP) and avidin biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical methods respectively. RESULTS There were decreases of CD4+ T lymphocyte and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in peripheral blood and predominant dermal perivascular T lymphocyte infiltration in chronic limb lymphedema patients. After two courses of microwave heating and bandaging treatment, it was found that the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes increased and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was restored to normal levels, and dermal perivascular T lymphocyte infiltration decreased greatly. CONCLUSION Microwave heating and bandaging treatment can modulate the systemic and local immunological imbalance of chronic limb lymphedema.

Citation： CAO Wei gang,ZH AN G Di sheng,GAN Ji liang.. MICROWAVE EFFECT ON IMMUNOL OGICAL RESPONSE OF CHRONIC L IMB L YMPHEDEMA. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2000, 14(2): 105-109. doi: Copy